November 4, 1998
Carrera Remixed
A semi-faveless side project of the prolific [B]Patrick Pulsinger[/B], [B]Vienna[/B]'s [B]Mr Big[/B] of underground electronica, the original [B]'Carrera'[/B] album sent ripples of pleasure throughout
7 / 10
A SEMI-FACELESS SIDE PROJECT OF the prolific Patrick Pulsinger, Vienna's Mr Big of underground electronica, the original 'Carrera' album sent ripples of pleasure throughout the techno world on its release last year. Here, belatedly, is an off-kilter set of remixes by friends and kindred spirits from all across Europe.
There is little orthodox dance music here, although a Dorfmeister-free Peter Kruder makes a squelchy electro-pop fist of 'Put Me On' which recalls Harold Faltermeyer's plinky-plonk prime, while DJ Elin turns 'Puta' into a Daft Punk-style slab of upbeat neo-disco. Elsewhere, however, whimsy is the watchword, with Viennese jazzers Orchester 331/3 weaving a wonky percussive smoochfest out of 'Dear Trevor', while Si Begg deconstructs 'Intro' into a clonking, whirring, tempo-mashing casserole of spooked sound.
Even when different artists cover the same tune, quirksome diversity rules. Thus 'Dig This!?' acquires a twitchy, queasy junglist momentum at the hands of Animals On Wheels and a metronomic funk minimalism courtesy of Sluta Leta. Similarly, 'Past The Gates' becomes a fractious Teutonic stomp via The Private Lightning Six and, erm, an even more menacing Teutonic stomp in the bass-heavy clutches of DJ Hell. Generally, though, the trade-off between irreverent sonic vandalism and ear-bending homage is nicely balanced throughout this likably eccentric anthology.
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