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 Moloko - All Back To The Mine - A Collection Of Remixes [Echo/Roadrunner Arcade Music - 2001]Moloko had their biggest hit with disco/techno remix of 'Sing It Back'. Although their regular records were more in the vein of electronic funk and pop, they always had a connection to the techno-scene. The remix by Boris Dlugosch made a happy discotrack of what originally was a kind of alienating and rather 'down' song. The remix was tasteful nevertheless. It's not on this CD because it already was included on Moloko's last album 'Things To Make And Do'. As a dance-act they had their songs remixed themselves and by various other people and released as b-sides and such. For people who didn't buy all singles here's a chance to get some of the remixes done over the years.On disc one of this collection of remixes the emphasis is on four-to-the-floor techno which made me fear the worst at first. Names like Mousse T and Robbie Rivera do not really excite me, since I'm not a big fan of techno, which is devoid of funk in my eyes (I'm sure lots of people will object to this remark, but I can listen to techno for half an hour with no physical reaction at all, which is virtually impossible with a proper funkrecord). Luckily the songs save the day many times and the not seldomly used disco approach makes the arrangements more organic and subsequently funkier. After a bunch of techno-mixes the beats get a little more adventurous towards the end of the disc. The 'I Feel Love' electro bassline (originally written by Giorgio Moroder who made the blueprint for techno in general) in Mousse T's version of 'Sing It Back' even sounds really good! Although this would definitely will not become my favourite disc of this double CD I have to admit there sure are some positive surprises. The weakest track is Oscar G's Cuba Libre Dub of 'Pure Pleasure Seeker', this comes closest to the house and techno I abhor. Some people might consider this the 'partydisc' (do I sound cynical here?). The last track of the disc, a 1930's piano version of Sing It Back is the most far out (and funny) of disc one though.Disc two is more to my taste: drum 'n' bass, 2 step, hiphop and breakbeats are the way of the walk here. The first song, a remix of 'The Time Is Now', has the somewhat spooky sentiments that are part of Moloko's sound. The nutty side of Moloko is also more present on this disc. The remix of 'Party Weirdo' exemplifies that. One of the best tracks this collection would be the Pizzicato Mix of 'Pure Pleasure Seeker', the pizzicato violin-arrangement and the fast 'light' beat are excellent. The eighties disco mix of 'Day For Night' which closes the collection is also one of my favourites.This double CD is sold for the price of one so I consider disc one a bonusdisc, but because of the diversity there is enough worthwhile material I think. Others would of course have other faves so I think every Moloko fan will enjoy this collection for sure. For me personally, none of the remixes surpass the originals, but there are some really nice interpretations. The Kudo's represent an average of scores between one to five, depending on qualities of individual tracks.  
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|  | | Moloko - All Back To The Mine - A... | Moloko had their biggest hit with disco/techno remix of 'Sing It Back'. Although their regular records were more in the vein of electronic funk and pop, they...
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