Two guys who belong to the creme de la creme of the UK trance scene hooked up in the studio to create 'Fused', the most recent release on the famous JOOF label. This release features a total of eight (!) mixes to suit just about everyone's needs, including interpretations by Oliver Prime, Whirloop and B.E.N....

John '00' Fleming and his mate Rikki Smith aka The Digital Blonde teamed up for this much anticipated release. While John has been busy running his JOOF label, Rikki recently released his Synthology album, which contained a multitude of wicked, inventive tracks in his typical style.
A total of eight remixes is featured on this digital-only release, so let's see what kind of diversification we're dealing with here.

A: Original Mix
'Fused' indeed corresponds with its title seamlessly. Overall, this tune is a very subtle blend of trance, prog, psy and even a bit of rock. Filled with bouncy basslines, mysterious, industrial soundscapes and some Underworld'ish vocal bits, the build grabs your attention without remorse by oozing a very distinct, inventive vibe. The coolest thing is the utterly well worked out flow that were being treated with; a break with just the vox and some backing rhythms serves as the initiator for the introduction of heavy bass-guitars, storming right on top over everything. Seriously cool! Meaty, stabbing chords and even more bits of melo take care of a constantly interesting progression of the tune, making this a very interesting production indeed.

B: John '00' Fleming Dub Remix
John's own mix features a slightly more crunchy use of percussion, sharper melodies and an overall more trancy atmosphere. Some of the ever-repeating leads from the original serve as the main entertainers here, driven onwards by wagonloads of atmospheric effects, blippy basslines and a serious amount of wickedly crafted SFX. Multiple little teasing breaks are being thrown in every now and then, with the main big thing being the big breakdown which builds up the lead riff seamlessly. This can't compete with the original but definitely has the potential to be played in a deep (psy) trance set.

C: The Digital Blonde Remix
Rikki delivers a slighly fiercer, darker remix filled with totally rumbling basslines and mysterious takes on the melodies to create a definite raw state of mind. A very well thought out contrast appears when the break enters: all all of a sudden, a somewhat elevating sense comes forward by bringing in a euphoric intermezzo of some of the original's great melodic interludes. This remix is fast, driving and dark with a touch of uplifting bliss right in the middle of it!

D: Oliver Prime Remix
One of JOOF's favourite producers delivers an astonishing interpretation of 'Fused'. If you've heard other tracks by Oliver you'll know that he has the ability to pump out the most amazing basslines, wrapped up in overall very qualitative productions. This one's no exception. The b-line isn't really agressive, but does rumble like a Boeing 747 lifting off ten feet from you! You won't get much deeper than this I think. The tune smoothly progresses with its very lean production base, with the main best thing being the fantastic guitars that have been put in here and there. They fit in perfectly with the vocals and create such a delicate feel on top of the rest of the tune, very well done! This isn't really a tune for the dancefloors, though: it's more like the perfect listening tune when you're hungry for an A+ combination of tough basses, wonderful guitar melodies and an overall relaxing climate. Top notch!

E: Jay Selway Remix
The producer also known as Cyzum delivers an energetic remix which sounds like a combination of hi-nrg trance and a bit of psy thrown in here and there. While slowly building using sharp percussion and a crunchy, locomotive-like bassline, arrays of fast arpeggiated melodies start to emerge to create a sense of rapidness all over the place. I really dig what has been done with the lead riff in the breakdown: at first, nothing much happens. But then the percussion slowly builds itself up, readying for a massive climax with a speedily introduced lead melody. A remix which in sound doesn't really differ much from the other mixes, but comes down nicely because of the cool gimmicks that have been put in here and there.

F: Whirloop Remix
Daniel Swahn from Sweden is just fresh off the heels of the release of his first artist album called 'A Fascination For Clouds' (check elsewhere on i:Vibes for the full review). Here, he brings us a dreamy, fast as hell remix in his typical sound. It bangs onwards fiercely, using superfast melodies and a very 'creamy' sound, just as if it has been rubbed in with oil before going through the mastering procedure. The most genius thing about this remix is a fantastic high pitched riff which plays along with the other melodies. It gives the tune an incredible boost and a sturdy yet awesome drive!

G: Viscid Remix
The seventh mix of the package is a deep one filled with tribal bits, a zooming bassline and a very warm use of percs. It's a lot deeper than the other mixes. In a sense, you could typify it as a more progressively oriented interpretation, mainly because of the use of smoothly growing FX and a more soothing take on the main lead. The best thing about this one is the superb percussion, which is of the type that makes you want to hug something. If you know what I mean. Anyway, another quality addition.

H: B.E.N. Remix
And now one for the tranceheads! UK DJ and producer B.E.N. has been making a name in the scene over the past year with his Total Digital label. He now also works for JOOF and has become one of their resident DJ's. This remix is fast, fierce and above all, very energetic. The pounding kickdrum and straight-forward percs do their best to keep a rapid feel in there, combined with a simple yet effective bassline. Tingling, smooth melo's and stabby rhythms are imminent during the first half of the track, slowly giving the tune more and more meat to go with... Just until the top-class breakdown comes in. B.E.N. has outdone himself here by bringing in some super-mysterious flute-like sounds, totally adding up to the wonderful main lead that blows everything to pieces just a short while after. Production-wise this isn't something too special, but the superb combination of effective percussion, a great drive and an amazing breakdown and lead make this one of the best remixes of the package.

Conclusion:
The release of 'Fused' has something for everyone. See above what fits you!
The original's a greatly inventive track, while I prefer the Whirloop and B.E.N. remixes just because of their sheer ability to send energy into your muscles immediately. Oliver Prime's remix is a league of its own with its fantastic b-line and classy guitars. Anyway, a quality release!