Black Van – Yearning review

Artist: Black Van
Title: Yearning
Label: DFA US
Genre: Disco/Nu Disco, Funky/Club House
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download

Black Van is the collaboration between two of dance music’s most prolific producers and remixers, Kris Menace and KoweSix. “Yearning” is their debut track together and will showcase their combined love of dance music when it sees release on DFA Records this week.

Kris Menace is best known for his anthemic “Discopolis” as well as for his idiosyncratic remixes for the likes of Underworld, Depeche Mode, Air, Royksopp and of course, LCD Soundsytem,  for whom he remixed “North American Scum”. James Murphy was a particular fan of this remix, so much so that he has remained in contact with Kris ever since, ultimately leading to DFA’s signing of “Yearning”. KoweSix, meanwhile, is one half of the Hamburg based duo, Moonbootica, who has two studio albums, five compilations and over fifty remixes of acts such as Adam Freeland and Junkie XL under his belt.

“Yearning” is the beginning of the journey for the pair. An album is on the way but for now we have this track which effortlessly combines the past with the future. This disco twisted house track storms along with real vigour right from the beginning, its 4/4 beat and relentless bass joined by shimmering keys that wash across the entire track. Only faltering once, the tune is then built back up and beyond.

The single remix comes from Emperor Machine who delivers an eight minute long, mind bending fusion of disco, psychedelia, funk and electro. Its percussion and intense rhythm make it the full throttled, evil twin of the original cut.

Review: Tom Jones