The Reflex

Review: When it comes to breathing new life into well-known classics, there are few better than Frenchman-in-London The Reflex. Further proof of this assertion can be found on RWY, the third 12" on the producer's own Revision Records imprint. The title track sees him once again take his scalpel to a track by Michael Jackson, subtly building layering up and extending "Rock With You" (a feat made possible by his ability to get hold of multi-track parts to the material he re-edits). On the flip, he successfully tampers with Lionel Richie's end-of-night classic "All Night Long". Brilliantly, he removes much of the percussion during key vocal passages, which in turn gives subsequent choruses extra dancefloor oomph. Bravo, Sir.

Review: Multitrack wizard The Reflex returns for his second release on Revision Records with two more killer edits. He tackles Marvin Gaye's classic "Gotta Give It Up" giving it the perfect modern revision for modern dancefloors, pretty damn brilliant if we do say so ourselves. On the B side he lends his Midas touch to Serge Gainsbourg's infamous "Sea, Sex & Sun" allegedly three years in the making, this dirty disco funk nugget includes vocals from both the English and French versions. Exclusive to vinyl and previously unreleased, get your hands on this one before you miss your chance as pressings are limited.

Review: While his source material tends towards the well known, there's no denying the quality of The Reflex's "revisions". Their genius likes in his ability to source and utilize stems and master tapes, allowing him to remix and re-edit killer disco jams in the same manner as original masters such as Tom Moulton. It means that he can craft new instrumental breakdowns, stretch out portions that were originally overlooked, and generally breathe new life into otherwise all-too-familiar anthems. The two revisions featured here are typically impressing, with the impassioned, driving, heavily rearranged Philadelphia Soul flipside ("BD LCK") just nudging out anthem like A-side "Ansun" (a brilliantly teased-out version of one of the most familiar disco records of all time).