CHICANE Vinyl & CDs

Review: Chicane's 1997 album Far From The Maddening Crowds not only reappropriated a famous Thomas Hardy literary title, it also helped lay the groundwork for a new form of breaks-driven trance music. Now on Modena comes a brand new version of the album, its Symphonic Rehearsals version: a full rerub consisting of total string versions of each track, with brand new string compositions written and performed by Joe Duddell (whose extant performance credits also include James, Elbow and Daughter). The new versions are utter tearjerkers, and not merely for the nostalgia value either; all build on the originally subtle apogees of the original LP, and remind us of why it was so well-received as a landmark release in the first place.

Review: British electronic music producer and DJ Chicane (real name Nick Bracegirdle) was one of the early driving forces in the dance scene. He had a breakout hit you will well know, and was a ratter prolific album specialist who has put out nine records in all, most recently appearing with Nevertheless earlier this year. Place You Cant Remember The Place You Can't Forget is one o his earlier works and it now gets some special treatment courtesy of Music On Vinyl who serve it up over two sides of nice heavyweight, limited and numbered gatefold smoked vinyl.