U, Trikk & Erosion Flow - ManMakeMusic Edits Volume 1

 Label: ManMakeMusic

After a thunderous 2012 and a relatively quiet 2013, George Fitzgerald’s ManMakeMusic imprint is gearing back into action with a fresh series of edits. For this white label collection of bootlegs, two of the label’s stars and one fresh name take the reins of a trio of classic tunes, aiming for the party jugular in a variety of styles. The first flavour is the most authentic, as resident weirdo U (who you may remember from his strangely seductive debut EP) turns in a rough and ready rework of Dancemania classic House Nation. Rather than modernising (read: sanitising  the track, U’s rework focuses on looping the distorted percussive patterns, as razor-snares and sunken kicks are retextured with the appropriate grit and heft. Given the recent love for lofi house jams, U’s effort comes off as the most timely, and bodes well for his forthcoming sophomore EP for the label.

The second  classic to receive a rework is Crystal Waters’ Gypsy Woman, which MMM alumnus Trikk takes ‘back to the traxx’ on a beefy big-room number. It may be polished but the effort feels ultimately lacklustre: the Portugese producer heaps a big bassline over a powerful 4/4, but aside from the recognisable vocals and organ line this is identikit deep house. The surprise turn of the package comes from newcomer Erosion Flow, who spins Next’s RnB classic Too Close into a slinky bass burner. Still, it is hard to forget that this transformation of RnB into bassy house has been done before, and better, by the likes of Joy Orbison, Palace and Jacques Greene. Still, it remains a competent rework, as neon pads wash over skittering percussive tics and that timeless acappela. ManMakeMusic’s volume of edits is clearly aimed at the party crowd, but these bootlegs don't wholly convince: too close to the originals to be considered worthwhile re-interpretations, they feel like unnecessary updates for a trio of tracks which can still work their magic just fine. 

5/10