Selador’s latest sees Dutch producer Jaap Ligthart team up with Alice Rose for the vocal delight ‘I Know Change’, while remixers Him_Self_Her and Show-B push the track in two very different directions.
Jaap Ligthart is no stranger to the label, having turned in one of the standout tracks on the recent second Selador Showcase album. Alice Rose is new to the Selador roster, but her voice will be immediately recognizable to anyone paying attention to Manual’s output recently, particularly from her fantastic collaborations with Paul Hazendonk & Noraj Cue and with Gabriel Ananda. Their pooled talents deliver just what you’d hope for: a subtle progressive/deep house boundary-smasher with Alice Rose’s vocal reverberating over gorgeous chord changes, guitar licks, and chiming melodies.
Him_Self_Her’s return to Selador couldn’t be more welcome, given their bassy, anthemic remix of Chris Fortier’s ‘Music Makes the Body’ last year. For my money, it’s their version that really opens up the potential of Jaap Ligthart’s track, with a sparse growl and hypnotic, chugging synths providing an effective foundation and really letting Alice Rose’s vocals stand out. But it’s when the original’s chord sequence creeps in, leading the remix into a hazy, shimmering breakdown, that it becomes clear just how special this is, and the second half turns up the heat while wrapping everything in soft strings. This is a truly lush piece of house music.
Show-B’s remix really couldn’t be more different. It’s warped synths and industrial-strength percussion quickly gather momentum, and the vocals gradually loop into the mix before the lyrics are allowed to ring out over an increasingly heady groove, which peaks with the addition of some playful and cleverly manipulated snares. The bass tones are allowed to carry a touch more melody to complement the vocal, while acidic squelches and dramatic effects keep things nice and wonky throughout.
There’s something for all tastes here with three excellent versions of Jaap Ligthart and Alice Rose’s track, and instrumental versions of both of the remixes to boot. That said, it’s Him_Self_Her’s version that’s really stolen my heart here.
