A timely return from one of Miami Bass’s original masters. While others have been raving it up on Electro’s resurgence over the last 15 years, Claudio Barrela, aka Debonaire has been busy in his studio producing music for others, as he told us in his interview. Now the time has arrived for him to rise from behind the mixing desk and bring some much needed freshness and enthusiasm to the scene. Delving into his large catalogue of legendary material and hookin up with other artists to keep Electro moving by reinterpreting these classic jams and creating new future classics.
“Final Ignition” is a great example. Together with Exzact, Debonaire has put together a tune that contains that pure Miami feel while utilising the knowledge he’s gained from years of studio engineering. From the get go we’re given insistent low-end synth rhythm over boomin precise beats. HAL intones, “I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like this before” then we have a crazy, staccato melody that sounds like a computer gone array…fitting after listening to HAL’s voice. Complete with radio squelch and rocket boosters noises, this track pulls you along at pace without sounding hurried. Then it breaks down into a very nice hardcore synth section with overdriven noises that really bring this track above others. I could listen to that section over and over as it appeals to my grittier side.
”Ignition Full Thrust” is a slightly darker version. The snare has more balls with lovely reverb and the rising, long release synth tone is well nasty, in a good way.
There seems to be more power in this version and I can’t quite nail it as to why. “What’s the situation now? I don’t know”, ya got that right ! The subtle differences between the two is such that it’s hard to chose which is best ! I think this one gets my vote tho. With the beep and “oooh” to keep those synapses hinged in the past to remind us where we’re comin from and clearer, modern production this is a great ode to the old school.
On to the flipside and another absolute classic jam with a great vocoder session !
”Sonic Boom” is without doubt one of the most treasured 12”s in anyone who’s managed to get an original copy’s collection. Here we have it in its original (but remastered) form and a special “Sonic Re Boom” mix. The original has everything an electro classic needs. Absolutely brilliant Vocoderism, beats to make ya wana pop and break (or jus shake yo ass) and great synth melodies with DJ cuts n scratches makin it complete. What I think makes this a classic jam is the structure of the track. It’s not monotonal, it shifts with the melody rising and falling around the scale and just seems more musical than most of the stuff we get these days. It has that feel from its original time of conception, excitement, optimism and fun. This is electro like it’s supposed to be !
“Sonic Re Boom” is a masterclass in reinterpretation. Taking a classic and faithfully rebuilding it with new technology. Our mysterious producers on this track have done total justice to this version excursion. Giving it a lovely bass noise that rattles the pans in the kitchen (or the glasses on the bar if yer in a club!). it’s strange to think this was being mistaken for the original for a while because the differences, although mostly subtle, do give this track a more modern feel. The reworked vocoderism is sublime and the lovely mirroring of the word “BOOM” with a bass tone is like frosties, greeeeeeat !
This 12” is a sure fire winner and a fine example of things to come from this reanimated label. 2 trax with 2 versions to please any EBF Monk and most probably make new converts to the REAL electro bass funk sound. Available in a numbered, signed 100 limited edition coloured vinyl edition .