This new release from Rob Insinna aka Headman's Relish Recordings pulls together four remixes of three classic and influential tracks, giving them the opportunity to be shared all over again. All three tracks are cult classics and the remixes are all pretty sympathetic to the originals.
Relish EP V opens with a Headman remix of Masimbabele from The Unknown Cases. The original came out on Rough Trade 25 years ago, marrying the work of Cologne residents and Can collaborators and disciples Helmut Zerlett and Stefan Kracthen with African percussionist Rebop Kwaku Baah to create an Afrobeat classic. Headman's mix retains an Afrobeat vibe and the raw electro edge suits his production style.
The Units saw something of a revival back in 2009 when their back catalogue was re-released and it's impact on the wider synth punk scene was re-evaluated. High Pressure Days remains their best track and included here the acidic synth melodies here shine as ever, glittering against the foreground of a song that details the more-relevant-than-ever mounting anxiety of modern living. Headman's dub is light in touch, reigning in the vocals and giving the track a little more room.
Concluding the EP are two mixes of Gina X's No G.D.M., one from Red Axes (it's their favourite ever track apparently) and one once again from Headman. The track mines a similar vein to some significantly more successful acts that followed, including Soft Cell, the Human League and much of the Electroclash movement of the early 2000s - expect plenty of vamping and androgyny. The Red Axes mix is loose and funky with a dubby undercurrent and spiky guitars whilst Headman's version is a little more straight... Bass guitar on lead and trademark Headman drums giving it much more pace.
There is no arguing with the three tracks here and whilst it is a shame to not get the originals included they are all under-exposed enough to warrant the revisit.
Relish EP V is released through Relish on 20 January. Preview Masimbabele and High Pressure Days through Soundcloud below: