[Sandwell District]

Sandwell District have been making acerbic waves in the techno scene for a couple of years now, and in 2009 it’s common knowledge that if you want proper techno you’d best head to Sandwell. Given that every one of this year’s SD releases, aside from Silent Servant’s fantastic “Negative Fascinations,” has been technically a remix, the choice to abandon the usual procession of catalog numbers in favor of the new “SDRM” code for this new 12″ of remixes is a surprise. Regardless, Berghain favorites Ben Klock and Norman Nodge are on deck to reshape Function’s massive “Disaffected” while anonymous Sandwell insider, CH-Signal Laboratories lends their hands to continue the Variance remix project from earlier this year.

After getting the remix treatment from Function and Regis in the form of their excellent “Subzero” mix, Ben Klock returns the favor by toning down the intense oscillating bass tones of the original “Disaffected” and establishing a more languid pulse. It’s a bit pedestrian as far as Klock is concerned, lacking some of the personality and “Klockisms” that really make his work stand out from the rest, but there is still a lot there and it makes for a great techno track. Norman Nodge also takes on “Disaffected” and keeps things rather restrained. A flurry of hi-hats and rimshots, a steady kick, and just a small fragment of the original’s bass line make up the only sounds here, but Nodge’s know-how keep it from ever becoming tedious. He takes no prisoners with his version and turns out the most effective mix in the package, staying true to the original’s attitude while being drenched in Nodge’s personality.

Finally, CH-Signal Laboratories take on “Variance”, which is a good enough version, although at this point there doesn’t seem to be much more to mine in “Variance.” Assuming that Function’s version was the original, the bleeping tones, delayed bass sounds, and much of the snappy percussion are kept it in place, but while it’s a solid mix and certainly serviceable on the floor one wishes the fourth “Variance” mix would be more like Marcel Dettmann’s: reshaping the entire tune from the ground up. While it’s unfortunately the least essential Sandwell District 12″ to be released this year, this is a record most labels would be itching to put out, and for that it deserves your attention.