A lot of attention has come onto Seattle as of late, but Innerflight Music has been steadily holding the city down for some time now. The label’s latest release comes from a name synonymous with the underground tech house movement since its earliest days: Adam Collins. Dating back to ’96 he could be found in Chicago with partner Marky Star releasing records as Omni A.M. His recently relaunched label from that same era, Euphoria Records, finds him playing the role of executive producer for developing artists. It is with great pleasure then that Innerflight has picked up a production of his own, “In City Lights,” with remixes from Pezzner and Luke Mandala.
An undulating synth introduces “In City Lights” before catchy riffs and a pulsing bass line take over. The percussion is light on its toes, with excellently executed drum rolls throughout. Sci-fi at times with evolving atmospheres, the single feels like a saga of sorts. Pezzner (Systematic Recordings, Freerange Records) is a prolific producer known for taking listeners through figurative landscapes and he does exactly this with a remix that introduces itself like an indigenous ritual. He uses larking noises which lie somewhere between a bird, a flute, and a theremin, eventually giving way to unmistakably tribal drums and touched up synths form the original. Another well received producer, Luke Mandala has been making serious waves with releases on the likes of Booka Shade Music, Desert Trax, and his own Activated Recordings imprint. Luke’s remix turns out a menacing club sound with snarling bass, persuasive bell rhythms, and alluring chants.
It’s great to hear the urban story telling of Collins’ “In City Lights” expanded upon by remixers not afraid to take it into other worlds, surely to be appreciated by the more adventurous listeners and DJs.
Diesel (X-Press 2) - “Ridiculously good! All tracks are amazing.”
Matthias Vogt (Motorcitysoul) - “A killer remix from Pezzner!”
Danny Howells - “Superb!”
Brett Johnson (Bang The Box / Cynosure) - “Deep and techy … I like it.”
Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister / G-Stone) - “I like this release …”
Stacey Pullen - “This is cool.”
Darin Epsilon (Perfecto / Baroque) - “Nice remix work by Pezzner and Luke Mandala.”
Gavin Hardkiss (Hawke) - “I like the spooky breaks on the Pezzner remix.”
Chris Fortier - “I’m loving everything Pezzner does.”
Malbetrieb (Klopfgeist / Paradigm) - “Nice dark groover from Luke Mandala!”
Justin Sloe (Droog / Culprit) - “Nice package. I’ve been longtime fan of both Adam Collins and Pezzner.”
Tyler Stadius - “The Luke Mandala remix is cool and trippy.”
Dave Mothersole - “I’m feeling the Luke Mandala remix.”
Timo Garcia (Berwick Street Records) - “Pezzner remix all the way!”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “I like both the remixes … lovely!”
Satoshi Fumi - “I love the Pezzner remix!”
Murray Richardson (Rebel Waltz) - “Pezzner remix for me on this … large tune!”
DZeta N’ Basile (Tsuba / 1Trax) - “Can’t get enough of Pezzner … awesome remix!”
Damaged Man (Jambalay Records) - “The original version is perfect for the after hours, as the sun rises!”
Al Bradley (3am Recoridngs) - “Cool release here. The original has a really authentic groove. Pezzner adds a cool, fizzing house reworking, and then there’s Luke Mandala with his supremely solid deep and powerful punchy regroove. Top skills all around.”