See Mi Yah Remixes

by Rob TheakstonSomewhere along the way, the mysterious duo of Mark Ernestus and Moritz Von Oswald decided to do something they've rarely allowed in their long and revered career: they decided to give a select group of artists the opportunity to remix their work. Throughout their purposely enigmatic past, Rhythm & Sound (also known as the force behind Basic Channel) have shunned the public's request for a remix project, but with the release of See Mi Yah they've allowed the cream of the electronic music crop to take a stab at it. Contributions from Vainqueur, Soundstream, Paul St. Hilaire, and the Basic Channel boys themselves stay in the safe harbor of the classic Basic Channel/Chain Reaction style of dubbed-out techno that influenced a generation of imitators. DJ/remix legend François K turns out a surprising drum'n'bass-styled remix (a complete shift in direction from his recent forays into the dub and classic music that he spins at his N.Y.C. Deep Space residency), while Vladislav Delay and Ricardo Villalobos deliver mixes that are par for the course for their abilities. Carl Craig, hot off the heels of his epic remix of Theo Parrish's "Falling Up," also delivers another epic synth and percussion-heavy reworking that is among the best remixes he's delivered in a while. There's something here for everyone, regardless of electronic music tastes, and there is very little filler to speak of. It's also indicative of just how far-reaching and influential Ernestus and Von Oswald truly are in the world of dance and experimental music -- that they could assemble a remix project just as high in quality and consistency as the originals.