ARTIST: ROMATHONY
RELEASE: THE WANDERER (2011 REMIXES)
CAT #: GU2003
RELEASE: 30/05/2011
TRACKS: KEVIN MCKAY REMIX // ROB MELLO’S NO EARS REMIX
The voice of one of the most iconic dance records of all time [Daft Punk’s “One More Time”] is set for a resurgence of interest in 2011.
As well as the re-issues of his original 12” releases on Decks Classix [“Let Me Show You Love” & “The Wanderer”] Rush Hour have lined up the pick of his entire back catalogue for a wonderfully packaged retrospective look at this enigmatic artist. This combined with a desire for his ice cool vocals from the current crop of nouveau-house producers [Mark E, Tom Trago, Kraak & Smaak] has once again shifted dance music gaze on to Daft Punk’s favourite vocalist. Described by leading electronic tastemaker Discobelle as having a “vocal track cool enough that it kind of makes Prince sound like a dork in comparison”, “The Wanderer” is one of Romanthony’s all-time great songs. Kompakt’s Michael Mayer describes it as a “huge track, indestructible… my favourite was always the acoustic version on B2.” while Spiller – currently getting everyone hot under the collar with Pigeonman’s Revenge – says, “The Wanderer is one of my top records ever. Always in my bag… That crazy intro… The rough beats with “years of pressure” sample… The pain in the vocals… Just outstanding.” And its not just older heads that are in love with this track. Boys Noize is such a fan he licensed it for his Bugged Out compilation, “Suck My Deck”. But on to the remixes for 2011… Rather than compete with the “The Journeyman Thump” mix that both Spiller & Boys Noize keep in their box, we have taken the vocals from Michael Mayer’s favourite, the acoustic version on the Prescription Underground release [Romanthony regularly records different vocal takes for different styles]. And instead of pairing them with that version’s super-deep guitar groove both Rob Mello & Kevin McKay have taken the track straight on to the dance-floor. Rob delivers a Chicago-style house groove with serious bass bounce whilst Kevin offers a techier workout complete with heavy drums and a hypnotic bass & synth groove.