microCastle return for their 34th release, and they welcome back Evolution/Sasha/Mono Electric Orchestra/Circular Sounds legend Barry Jamieson for a reissue of 2004โs โStarsโ, originally released under the name Invisible Inc. The release features the original and ambient versions, as well as remixes from heavy-hitters and label regulars Guy J and Charlie May (who turns in no fewer than three different versions).
Barry Jamiesonโs original pits an unwavering, groovy bassline and spiky percussion against layer upon layer of drifting, sparkling, uplifting, and constantly evolving melodies. The track was originally recorded back in 2002, and it does feel a little of its time, but it’s immersive and haunting, and the moment when the bassline reestablishes itself towards the end of the breakdown is bound to induce some serious goosebumps.
Guy J gives the track a more modern, deep house spin. The first two and half minutes built a hypnotic cosmic-disco vibe, but itโs when those huge bass tones hit for the first time that youโll know youโre properly hooked. After a short breakdown, Guy J introduces cascading melodies that interact beautifully with the bass, and then begins filling the spaces with Vangelis-inspired sounds. The result is a truly gorgeous record that will be loved by fans of deep and progressive house alike โ itโs my pick of this release, and one of Guy Jโs best remixes in a while.
Charlie May has long been a collaborator with Barry Jamieson, first as part of the team on the first two installments of Sashaโs Involver series, and later on the monumental โHomecomingโ. His first version of โStarsโ, his โLow-g remixโ, is a gentle, spacey ambient number. The remix clocks in at ten minutes, and itโs a rather meandering journey at times, but there are several moments of real beauty along the way, and its fluttering percussion gives it a little forward momentum at crucial moments.
Mayโs โBlack Holeโ remix returns us squarely to the floor. What quickly stands out here is the incredible sound design and attention to detail, from the intricate hi-hat work to the rich bass sounds and the ever-shifting central, rippling hook, which offers a strong link back to Barry Jamiesonโs original. Scattered fragments of some of the other melodies from the original tighten that bond, while a gentler, dreamier theme creeps in ever so often, adding a further touch of emotion just when itโs called for.
Closing out the trio of May versions, the โBlack Hole Dubโ works some of the main elements of the remix over a churning, nastier bassline. Around halfway through, this version rather lost me, becoming increasing frantic and busy but without a really strong central idea to make it really compelling. Iโll be sticking to the main version of the remix.
Last but hardly least, we have Barry Jamiesonโs own ambient version, which most people will know as the closing track from Sashaโs โNew Emissions of Light and Soundโ score. Here the melodies are allowed to shine and the strings are allowed to soar, yielding a gloriously lovely six minutes of music.
This is a great release from microCastle, with Guy Jโs remix providing my personal highlight, but Charlie Mayโs Black Hole remix and Barry Jamiesonโs originals also offering much to love. 8.5/10
