The ChemBase

Forum => Music: Response => Topic started by: Wolkenkrabber on Sep 23, 2021, 10:51

Title: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Wolkenkrabber on Sep 23, 2021, 10:51
A post on the forum FB page mentioning someone's favourite remix of a Chems track got me thinking: There have been a couple of independent compilations of remixes by the Chems, but what about remixes of the Chems?
Has anyone ever improved on a Chemical production, or would that be considered blasphemy? Is there a Chemical track you've listened to and thought: "Hmm, this could do with a good remix by...Scooter! or... Swedish House Mafia!" ?  ;)

I don't think this subject has been covered during my time on the forum. So I had a browse through Discogs and compiled my own favourite top 10 remixes of Chems tracks.
I didn't agree with the favourite choice mentioned on FB, so equally I suspect many of you won't agree with my choices. Let the arguments begin (if anyone cares)!

In very rough order of liking:

1 The Golden Path (Ewan Pearson Extended mix)
2 HBHG (Soulwax)
3 Sometimes I Feel So Deserted (Skream)
4 Swoon (Boys Noize Summer mix)
5 Wide Open (Kolsch)
6 Go (Special Request Basement mix)
7 Star Guitar (Pete Heller Expanded mix)
8 Battle Scars (Beyond The Wiazards Sleeve)
9 Got To Keep On (Riton)
10 HBHG [again] (KiNK)

What no Sasha? What no Bloody Beetroots? (I actually don't like the Bloody Beetroots remix of Dissolve but I may be in the minority on that one).

I was tempted to include the Secret Psychedelic mix of Let Forever Be, but I decided to keep it to "outside" remixers rather than Chems remixing Chems. I'm also therefore, excluding live versions.

I reckon some of the top 5 on my list could be considered as good as the original (or maybe even better?) ::Ducks for cover::
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Zesty on Sep 23, 2021, 12:38
Horse Power (Popof Remix)
Sounds like a type of mashup between HBHG and HP and I love it  :music :music
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: ThePumisher on Sep 23, 2021, 14:55
I like the H Foundation Remix of Come With Us. And i really love the Brookes Brothers Remix of Shinichi Osawa's version of Star Guitar.

Quote from: ThePumisher on May 28, 2021, 17:57

Quote from: Wolkenkrabber on Sep 23, 2021, 10:51

Is there a Chemical track you've listened to and thought: "Hmm, this could do with a good remix by...Scooter! or... Swedish House Mafia!" ?  ;)
Akufen doing a remix of Not Another Drugstore, that would be sweet
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Explud on Sep 23, 2021, 19:54
Anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fwwPbfiuO8
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: actionjackson780 on Sep 23, 2021, 22:37
I haven't been a huge fan of many remixes by other artists, not because I think it's blasphemous or anything like that, there just aren't a ton that I really dig. I also don't think I'd consider any of these an improvement on the originals, but the ones listed here are standouts and I listen to them as often as the originals. In no particular order:

Swoon (Lindstrom and Prins Thomas)
Life is Sweet (Daft Punk)
The Boxer (The DFA)
Battle Scars (Beyond the Wizards Sleeve)
The Golden Path (Ewan Pearson)
Out of Control / Surrender to Love (Avalanches) *could split these up and they'd still both be included here
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: GLAKO-FAHN on Sep 24, 2021, 17:38
Quote from: Explud on Sep 23, 2021, 19:54

Anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fwwPbfiuO8

first thing i thought of!

i love the idea of this thread, though, nice one. taking the opportunity to listen to some these remixes i haven't given much time to
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Bosco on Sep 24, 2021, 18:59
we've gone this far with no mention of Micronauts remix of Block Rockin Beats? A full on assault of chaotic noise, driving distorted beats, and an epic island steel drum finish. It sounds like an banging 9 minute rave.

Not a sound engineering marvel by any means, but damn, I love this remix
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: actionjackson780 on Sep 25, 2021, 00:21
This is definitely inspiring me to listen back to some remixes I haven't given enough time to, or in some cases more or less dismissed. Most BITE-era remixes were only skimmed over at the time because it took me long enough to really get into the album itself haha
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Ben_j on Sep 26, 2021, 06:32
Block Rockin Beats (The Micronauts remix)
Salmon Dance (Crookers Remix)
Salmon Dance (Hervé Remix)
Hey Boy Hey Girl (Soulwax Remix)
Hey Boy Hey Girl (KiNK Remix)
Sometimes I Feel So Deserted (Skream remix)
The Boxer (DFA Remix)
Get Yourself High (Switch remix)
Come With Us (Fatboy Slim Remix)
Go (Special Request Warehouse remix)
Shinichi Osawa - Star Guitar (does this count as a remix, though ?)
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Csar on Sep 26, 2021, 11:00
I kind of feel like Actionjackson when it comes to official remixes of the Chems for the same reasons. Only rarly do I find they add to the originals or go new paths that I find interesting. But ocassionally there're some really good ones such as

Beyond the Witard Sleeve's version of Battle Scars.
Boyz Noize's Swoon (this was on repeat when it came out and is still one of my favourites).
Bloody Beetroots Dissolve is fantastic and brings out a whole new track with its strings and stuff.
DFA's The Boxer.
Dave Clarke's Chemical Beats mix from the Loops of Fury EP  is pretty dope! Great breakbeat percussions.
Of course the fantastic Golden Path remixes by Ewan Pearson.
Kölsch's remix of Wide Open is pretty nice too. It's very energetic especially the middle part.
I wasn't so sure about the Avalanches Surrender Mashup at first but since then it has grown on me so much that I've come to love it.
The most recent remix of the Darkness by the Blessed Madonna has some nice parts as well.

And I think that's about it.

But there are also unoffical remixes out there that are pretty good. Two that I can think off the top of my head are remixes of Snow that I really dig which I stumbled upon 2 or so years ago.

Sonic Tramp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w4BDVBQ8tE

Mescalin Baby (my favorite of the two)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osx00SL83Ys

I would also mention Shinichi Osawa's Star Guitar if it wasn't more like cover than a remix I guess.
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: ThePumisher on Sep 26, 2021, 12:07
Quote from: Csar on Sep 26, 2021, 11:00

But there are also unoffical remixes out there that are pretty good.
Oh, i totally forget about the "unofficial" remixes

https://soundcloud.com/thepumisher/the-salmon-dance-reconstructed

This one was send in for the Salmon Dance remix contest, but i think it was rejected because it features samples from Prince


Quote from: Csar on Sep 26, 2021, 11:00

I would also mention Shinichi Osawa's Star Guitar if it wasn't more like cover than a remix I guess.
Am i the only who likes the Brookes Brothers remix more than Shinichi's cover?
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: androidgeoff on Sep 26, 2021, 19:22
This one is one of my favorites, bless Matthew Dear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC3ympGIcD4
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Bosco on Sep 27, 2021, 06:44
Quote from: Csar on Sep 26, 2021, 11:00


Mescalin Baby (my favorite of the two)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osx00SL83Ys


So Damn good
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: satur8 on Sep 30, 2021, 16:51
I enjoy almost all of the remixes mentioned, and the Micronauts' remix will always hold a special place in my heart. Ewan's Golden Path remixes are also stellar among good company, and Soulwax totally reinvented HBHG and nailed it.

However, DFA's take on The Boxer may be the only remix of a Chemical Brothers track that I strongly prefer to the original. I love that one.

Actually, now that I think about it, I enjoy the Special Request Basement Mix and Claude VonStroke remixes of Go more than the original as well.

And if I'm being really honest, on some days I also feel the same about Sasha's remix of Out of Control...but I don't want to get banned after all these years.   :))
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: 𝒥𝑅𝒮𝒵 on Oct 01, 2021, 02:31
Daft Punk's remix of Life is Sweet is great ❤️
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Ben_j on Oct 01, 2021, 09:13
I'm starting to feel lonely with the Salmon Dance remixes  :-[
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Bosco on Oct 02, 2021, 08:50
unofficial, and it has its tempo problems, but good concept/mashup. Track transcends happiness and really shines the beauty of music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1xe6BBJQN4
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: androidgeoff on Oct 02, 2021, 21:25
The forum's remix album of Further  8)

https://soundcloud.com/furtherremixed
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Wolkenkrabber on Oct 07, 2021, 21:51
Quote from: GLAKO-FAHN on Sep 24, 2021, 17:38

taking the opportunity to listen to some these remixes i haven't given much time to

Quote from: actionjackson780 on Sep 25, 2021, 00:21

This is definitely inspiring me to listen back to some remixes I haven't given enough time to, or in some cases more or less dismissed.

Oh good. I kinda did this myself before starting the thread. And I realised: July 2019 was a BIG month for Chemical updates on YT. They just put everything up there (apart from their remixes of other artists which they don't own). I used to struggle to stream some of these due to weird territory restrctions (Abe Duque remix of Galvanize springs to mind), but not now!


Quote from: Ben_j on Sep 26, 2021, 06:32

Shinichi Osawa - Star Guitar (does this count as a remix, though ?)
Let me just check with the adjudication panel...

(https://media.giphy.com/media/utmZFnsMhUHqU/giphy.gif)

Oh, hard luck. But maybe we can class it as a Special Mention. Particluarly as the Chems seemed to like it and they got Shinichi to do DJ support the last time they played Japan.


Quote from: Csar on Sep 26, 2021, 11:00

I kind of feel like Actionjackson when it comes to official remixes of the Chems for the same reasons. Only rarly do I find they add to the originals or go new paths that I find interesting. 
I've noticed when a new remix of a Chems track is released, only a handful of people here bother to even comment on the remixes, as though they just don't care. In fact I wondered if anyone would even bother replying to this thread. I'm glad that you did.


Quote from: ThePumisher on Sep 26, 2021, 12:07

Oh, i totally forget about the "unofficial" remixes

https://soundcloud.com/thepumisher/the-salmon-dance-reconstructed

This one was send in for the Salmon Dance remix contest, but i think it was rejected because it features samples from Prince
So it was remixed by a friend of yours but you uploaded it to Soundcloud, is that right?
Which Prince track is sampled? Something from the early 90s? I think I prefer this to the official remixes.

Quote from: ThePumisher on Sep 26, 2021, 12:07

Am i the only who likes the Brookes Brothers remix more than Shinichi's cover?
For me, what I like about Shinichi's "original" version is that it rocks out and it has room to "breathe". The Brooks Brothers remix is very fast D&B and loses that natural feel, IMO. The Japanese Popstars mix was fun though. Whatever happened to them?

Quote from: ThePumisher on Sep 23, 2021, 14:55

Akufen doing a remix of Not Another Drugstore, that would be sweet
Even though I asked the question, I'm not sure I've ever listened to a Chems track and thought: "X should remix this". But when I first heard Wide Open I thought that someone should remix it. And when the remixes came out, I preferred them all to the original (album) version. Which is kinda rare.

Quote from: satur8 on Sep 30, 2021, 16:51

And if I'm being really honest, on some days I also feel the same about Sasha's remix of Out of Control...but I don't want to get banned after all these years.   :))

I was tempted to swap the Sasha remix in for Riton's Got To Keep On in my list.
I'm in two minds about Sasha's production here. On the one hand I think he takes some of the "oomph" out of the original version. On the other hand, he adds his own production which feels quite um, complete (?). Not just a rushed remix for the ££ but a well produced thing of its own. I do however prefer the 7 minute edit to the 11 min version - that's just too long for me.

Quote from: Bosco on Oct 02, 2021, 08:50

unofficial, and it has its tempo problems, but good concept/mashup. Track transcends happiness and really shines the beauty of music:

Havent heard this for a long time. I remember the people behind this also did Screamixadelica which had its moments.
So we've got Smashing Pumpkins 1979, The Strokes' The Modern Age (whch may have subconsciuosly influned S2A in the first place), Across the Universe. And something else. Who Is Katie Enlow (an obscure NZ vocalist?) Is she doing the female baking vox, or have those been pinched from somewhere else?

Getting back to who would I like to see remix the Chems, it seems we might be entering into a new album cycle. In which case we've already had Haai and Blessed Madonna on remix duty for 'Darkness'. Who else might be good for remixing the Chems?

UNKLE/James Lavelle (not exactly a new name but I do think his current album is an underappreciated release)
Bernard Sumner/Stephen of New Order. They both do remixes from time to time. Tom has remixed New Order, it's time for them to return the favour.
In fact, a brand new remix of Mogwai's Ritchie Sacramento by Stephen & Gillian came out last Friday.
Maceo Plex
Jamie XX
Moderat
Jon Hopkins
Hot Chip
Adana Twins  (yes one of my new favorite discoveries as per 'Now Playing'. They do remixes and re-edits (https://youtu.be/X38quhTRVL0?t=1) too)
Solomun (a bit of a lockdown-defyng plague raver, but I can't deny the qualiy of his productions)
Yotto
Super Flu
Bicep (if the Chems ever retire will these guys steal their crown?)
Overmono
Scuba
TEED
Red Axes
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Bosco on Oct 08, 2021, 07:18
^I like your picks,

I will add,

-Daphni aka Caribou aka Dan Snaith... and quite frankly, I'm surprised this hasn't happened, yet
-Múm (not totally sure if they are even active. Haven't listened to them in a while, but I do remember being pretty passionate thinking they have a vibe fitted with chems)
-Liam Howlett (I don't think this is a good match anymore, but I'm willing to give a try!)

Other interesting fits, but probably won't happen due to cost:

-Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, (grammy/Oscar winning composers/producers, why not...)
-Bjork (both Collab and remix... any type of project is kinda long overdue.)
-John Frusciante (yup, he does electronic music and it's pretty good, too!)
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Ben_j on Oct 08, 2021, 08:05
Quote from: Wolkenkrabber on Oct 07, 2021, 21:51

Getting back to who would I like to see remix the Chems, it seems we might be entering into a new album cycle. In which case we've already had Haai and Blessed Madonna on remix duty for 'Darkness'. Who else might be good for remixing the Chems?

Amon Tobin/Two Fingers (That would be heaven for me, my two favourite artists coming together)
Ivy Lab
SebastiAn
Modeselektor
Vitalic
Myd
Trent Reznor (does he even do remixes ?)
Massive Attack/3D
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: ThePumisher on Oct 08, 2021, 19:59
Quote from: Wolkenkrabber on Oct 07, 2021, 21:51

So it was remixed by a friend of yours but you uploaded it to Soundcloud, is that right?
Which Prince track is sampled? Something from the early 90s?
Yep, a friend of mine - back around that time. Haven't seen or heard anything from him since ages.No idea which Prince song is sampled.


Quote from: Wolkenkrabber on Oct 07, 2021, 21:51

Bernard Sumner/Stephen of New Order. They both do remixes from time to time. Tom has remixed New Order, it's time for them to return the favour.
In fact, a brand new remix of Mogwai's Ritchie Sacramento by Stephen & Gillian came out last Friday.
Heard that remix the other day, but was not highly impressed. But thats maybe because the original is one of my favourite songs this year so far
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: androidgeoff on Oct 10, 2021, 22:48
Quote from: Bosco on Oct 08, 2021, 07:18


-Daphni aka Caribou aka Dan Snaith... and quite frankly, I'm surprised this hasn't happened, yet


Taste of Honey remix by Caribou would be cool
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Bosco on Oct 11, 2021, 16:12
Quote from: androidgeoff on Oct 10, 2021, 22:48

Taste of Honey remix by Caribou would be cool

You mean a vocal remix, so he can grate our ears with his pathetic little indie voice?
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: androidgeoff on Oct 11, 2021, 22:05
Quote from: Bosco on Oct 11, 2021, 16:12

You mean a vocal remix, so he can grate our ears with his pathetic little indie voice?

:'(

Daphni remix of Let's Bang would also be cool
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: 𝒥𝑅𝒮𝒵 on Oct 17, 2021, 00:43
Quote from: Bosco on Oct 08, 2021, 07:18

^I like your picks,

I will add,

-Daphni aka Caribou aka Dan Snaith... and quite frankly, I'm surprised this hasn't happened, yet
-Múm (not totally sure if they are even active. Haven't listened to them in a while, but I do remember being pretty passionate thinking they have a vibe fitted with chems)
-Liam Howlett (I don't think this is a good match anymore, but I'm willing to give a try!)

Other interesting fits, but probably won't happen due to cost:

-Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, (grammy/Oscar winning composers/producers, why not...)
-Bjork (both Collab and remix... any type of project is kinda long overdue.)
-John Frusciante (yup, he does electronic music and it's pretty good, too!)

Why not? LH is mega talented beast. I'd love to hear the Prodigy remix of the Chems classic, like Leave Home, or Chembeats.

From myself I'd like to add:

Justice, Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: 𝒥𝑅𝒮𝒵 on Oct 17, 2021, 00:44
Quote from: JRSZ on Oct 17, 2021, 00:43

Why not? LH is mega talented beast. I'd love to hear the Prodigy remix of the Chems classic, like Leave Home, or Chembeats.
Or... Not Another Drugstore!

From myself I'd like to add:

Justice, Aphex Twin and Boards of Canada
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Enjoyed on Oct 18, 2021, 01:16
Hol' up. Not a single person thinks the Futureshock remix of Music:Response is up there for best remix? Madness.

I actually made and burned a compilation of remixes of Chems CD back when I was a snot-nosed kid. The CD is back in England in my Chems rack but maybe I can persuade my brother to snap a quick photo (I made a full jewel case sleeve 'n' everything!). It was made during CWU era, so there wasn't anything after that included, sadly.


Anywho, my list of most enjoyed and listened to remixes goes something like this:
• Music:Response (Futureshock Main Response)
• Come With Us (H-Foundation Remix)
• Leave Home (Underworld Mix One)
• The Boxer (DFA Version)
• GTKO (Riton Remix)
• BRB (The Micronauts Remix)
• OOC (Sasha Remix)

Honourable mention for Norman's remix of CWU. Just for how much I listened to it when I was younger. It was exactly my jam when it came out.

Love some of the suggestions for other remixers. Especially Caribou, Jon Hopkins & TEED.
I'll throw in...
• Leon Vynehall
• Tom Middleton (peak Tom would have been nice, not sure he's doing anything these days except trying to help people sleep better).
• Grafix
• Floating Points
• Röyksopp

Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: androidgeoff on Oct 31, 2021, 22:57
Futureshock remix is up there for sure
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: satur8 on Nov 09, 2021, 20:52
Dave Clarke's Chemical Beats isn't getting a lot of love here.

It's the perfect example of staying true to the core track while adding something more.

That said, the original remains king.
Title: Re: Best remixes OF the Chemical Brothers
Post by: Hattie 03 on Apr 21, 2022, 13:43
Great music shared by you all. Em enjoying. :music :music