Released: 17.09.01 Highest Chart Position: ?

Disc One ( DFECT37CDS ) » Danny Tenaglia Radio Edit ? Review this for me! Danny Tenaglia's Time Marches On Mix Tribal beats and the original bassline are present here, which continue while an assortment of noises and drums work their way around the track. The vocal is brought in during the first breakdown, which is then spread around some detailed percussion. This format continues throughout the track and makes for a weird mixture of the original’s elements and Tenaglia’s beats. However, there is no cheesy piano in this and it works like a dub version of the ‘Return to Paradise Mix’. I’m sure this mix will grow on me but on a cold winter’s night this no where close to the original mix’s beauty. Lenny Ibizarre Mix ? Review this for me!

Cover supplied by DJ Dusty.

Disc Two ( DFECT37CDX ) » Original Radio Edit ? Review this for me! Dance Ritual Mix This version from Louis Vega is the one that has been played from Ibiza to Miami all summer and was released on Distance records as part of a double pack that originally got the hype to gradually build to fever pitch. Strangely, this hasn’t been released on 12” yet on Defected (will it?) and if you can, I urge you to re-mortgage your house to find this mix. It begins with the bassline being softened slightly and more delicate beats. A keyboard line is bought in quietly which then is then lost in Julie McKnight’s spiritual vocal. Smoother keys work throughout and while all the elements of the original are here they have been rounded off and tweaked to maximise the focus on the all-important vocal. A piano lightly works in the background to complement the vocal, which is then bought out to give way to a George Benson-style guitar that further uplifts the track. The chorus enters for the last time for a lap of honour that is truly well deserved. This is actually better than the original and is more of a lush re-edit than a full remix but the subtly and simplicity works magic with the vocal. 6/5 if I could. DJ Meri Vox Mix ? Review this for me!

Cover supplied by DJ Dusty.

12” Vinyl ( DFECT37 ) »
Danny Tenaglia's Return To Paradise Mix
Hmm…the jury’s out on this one. The beats are tribalistic and work well. A nice new bassline is added while various noises and vocal snippets are triggered. But then comes the controversial breakdown, which is either euphoric and amazing or a cheesy and annoying piano line. Take your pick. The vocal works well and as you’d expect from any Tenaglia piece, the whole affair is extremely well produced. But it treads a very fine line between pure cheese and uplifting euphoria. Needs to be listened if you want to understand what I mean.


Danny Tenaglia's Time Marches On Mix
Tribal beats and the original bassline are present here, which continue while an assortment of noises and drums work their way around the track. The vocal is brought in during the first breakdown, which is then spread around some detailed percussion. This format continues throughout the track and makes for a weird mixture of the original’s elements and Tenaglia’s beats. However, there is no cheesy piano in this and it works like a dub version of the ‘Return to Paradise Mix’. I’m sure this mix will grow on me but on a cold winter’s night this no where close to the original mix’s beauty. Same as CD version.

12” Vinyl Remixes ( DFECT37X ) »
DJ Meri Vox Mix
A slight departure from the original in that there are many more layers at work with a nice bassline (although not THE bassline), a seemingly live guitar, smooth keys and fairly tough beats. Then of course there’s THE vocal put over the top which works to great effect, although it’s hard to imagine a situation in which this vocal wouldn’t work, which it complemented by an added reprise of the word ‘finally’. This makes for a more conventional, soulful house sound that would work well for those who don’t like the original but still like the uplifting vocal side of things.


Original Extended Mix
After a nice swirly effect, the baseline enters which if you haven’t heard, is kinda groovy, kinda bumpy and, in a very subtle way, truly hypnotic. The vocal enters early, while almost unnoticeably, some really soothing keys work their way up through the mix which are then unleashed, as Juile McKnight breaks into the most uplifting, beautiful choruses you’ll probably ever hear. Pure soul and the trick is the simplicity of the track that lets the vocal work to its full potential. This track is already classic on the house scene and requires patience for the track to work its magic. Once in a lifetime? Maybe…..


Rulers Of The Deep Mix
A breakbeat begins this mix while smoothly performed keys are looped in the background. This continues, while a few layers of percussion are added and then the vocal is brought in, in a an attempt to lift the mix from what is perhaps a bit too complex and too uninspiring. For the magic of the original was that the simple arrangement and straight 4/4 beat meant that it slowly permeated until it unravels and moves into the chorus, but this mix, with its breakbeats and changing key structure doesn’t give enough focus to the all important vocal.


Mad Congoism Bonus Beats
OK, take the breakbeats from The Rulers’ of the Deep mix add a few congas and drums and what of got? This. Although, this is squarely aimed at DJs as a tool not a track, it’s not something most house DJs wouldn’t appreciate as the breakbeat just doesn’t feel right while the usability is pretty low.


Tom de Neef Dub
Harder, tougher and more tribal styled beats begin this mix, which give a dark atmosphere, but before you go 'Oh, no! Where’s the soul?', snippets of the baseline and the vocal are introduced which work to give that hypnotic effect but in a different context. The vocal is gradually expanded and eventually the chorus is unwrapped to great effect and while this is a departure from the more simple original this would work as mix for the more tribal-drum orientated among us who like a bit of soul.


Tom de Neef Club Mix
The harder, tougher beats are present as are some nice bongo loops, which work over a deeper more filtered version of the baseline. The vocal is bought in fairly early and is accompanied by that swirly noise that opens the original mix which is cut up to form the sounds that seem to grow from the beats themselves. Full attention is paid to the vocal and this tribal style works to give a mix that gradually grows and moulds into a nice piece of soul-tinged tribal house, although this is not as special as de Neef’s dub version.


Danny Krivit/Steve Travolta Re-Edit
With this being a re-edit don’t expect a huge difference from the original but this is more DJ friendly with its nice long intro and the slow unflitering of the baseline that would sound good coming up through a mix. The vocal is brought up and, of course, works wonders. The beats have been slightly modified but apart from that the music side is exactly the same but when the track is so good anyway what are you meant to do?


Acapella
This is what DJs have been lusting over for ages (I know I have) and allows anyone to just plonk the wonderful vocal over whatever track you please. Of course, the vocal is featured in its full form but there will be a great many people using this over tracks that are completely unsuitable, so choose your beats wisely.


12” and Dance Ritual Mix reviews by Justin Leslie.