Live At 5uinto – Brasilia, Brazil – July 8, 2010 by Q-Burns Abstract Message

To see a photo gallery of this gig click HERE
For more information on 5uinto click HERE ?To listen to other DJ sets by a multitude of 5uinto guests and DJs click HERE

So it’s no surprise that I really dig the blog Modyfier which basically asks that same question, and only that question, to a number of electronic music producers. The idea is that the musician contributes an original track or a DJ mix and then it is explained how this work came about. My friends Pezzner and Brett Johnson have been past participants and I’m pleased to announce that my own contribution just went live. You can read it HERE.

I chose the Balearic Version of the track “Chainsaw”, culled from my recent EP on EIGHT-TRACKS. I thought it was interesting how this version came about, as it’s almost a non-satirical parody of the original song. I talk about this and then, as an added bonus, Modyfier and I are giving the reader a free download of the song at the bottom of the post.

The label and I plan on commissioning remixes and re-edits of this version of “Chainsaw” to be released in the fall, so stay tuned. In the meantime, be sure to bookmark or add Modyfier to your RSS reader feed. It’s totally worth keeping up with for some continued insight into the creative process.

Scott hit me up to remix “Beat Freak” and I happily obliged. There was an original version of my remix that I toiled on for 4 or 5 lonely days. Long story short, I decreed it “not freaky enough” and in a calm tantrum erased all evidence and started over from scratch. 24 hours later I had the remix you hear below:

Scott Hardkiss – Beat Freak (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) (God Within Recordings) by Q-Burns Abstract Message

I liked the implications within the synthesized vocal and visualized it as a bullhorn announcement. A sort of world music bounce is applied for a global “everybody’s in the club” feel. The beats and bass line are kept overly simple, serving as anchors for everything around them. The keyboard solo and emulated fretless bass were last minute ideas and make up my favorite section of this. Celebration time. I’m into it.

Upon completion I immediately had an idea for an alternate version of this. Thus we have the dub:

Scott Hardkiss – Beat Freak (Q-Burns Abstract Message Dub) (God Within Recordings) by Q-Burns Abstract Message

The plucky arpeggiated line from the first remix becomes the bass here (so much for the simple bass line) adding some dance floor motion. The energy is slightly increased, in general, with a few added synth parts and, at Scott’s welcome urging after he heard a rough draft, a rising field of ‘acidy’ synths in the key moments.

I’ve been playing both of these out in my sets and they seem to work really well for the floor. I rarely have tracks of my own that I enjoy playing out (I know … it’s a producer/DJ thing. It’s very silly.) so this is fun. I hope you dig it as well.

There are other cool remixes of “Beat Freak” by Paul Woolford, Fort Knox Five, and Scott Hardkiss himself. You can grab it now from Beatport, Traxsource, iTunes, and many other digital shops.

Artist: Q-Burns Abstract Message
Release Title: Chainsaw
Remixes by: Ajello, Jota Wagner
Label: EIGHT-TRACKS
Catalog Number: 8TR009

Tracklist:
1. Chainsaw (Analog Version)
2. Chainsaw (Ajello Remix)
3. Chainsaw (Loose Version)
4. Chainsaw (Jota Wagner Remix)
5. Chainsaw (Balearic Version)

Chainsaw (EIGHT-TRACKS – 8TR009) by Q-Burns Abstract Message

A dark, foreboding stillness, thick fog through the treetops, a mysterious cabin in the woods, and an ominous force within. This imagery obliquely provided inspiration to Q-Burns Abstract Message for his debut EP on EIGHT-TRACKS, “Chainsaw.” The title refers to a climactic scene in an infamous American low-budget horror movie. Incidentally, it might also reference how Q-BAM almost took a chainsaw to his studio equipment while creating this track. The Analog Version was meant to be recorded almost entirely with vintage hardware but as the session commenced the Juno-106 started sputtering, the tape on the Chorus Echo snapped, the circuits on the ASR-10 gave off an odor like burnt candle wax, and so on.

Circumventing such ghosts in the machinery, this version of “Chainsaw” ends up a rambunctious and quirky house builder complete with filtered beats, a pounding bassline, squelchy guitar hits, and a buzzing chainsaw synth melody. Like many Q-Burns Abstract Message tracks “Chainsaw” sits firmly between several house music micro-genres while affirming the frenzied accident of its creation.

Q-Burns Abstract Message follows this with two radically self-remixed versions. The first, a Loose Version, attempts to take the American fright flick impetus and move it to a more Italian, Argento-inspired location. The tempo is reduced to a lurching slink and some analog remnants are applied, including juicy spring reverb bass stabs. Haunted pianos and spooky synth strings abound. Next, Q-BAM’s Balearic Version attempts a resolution; the ending credits theme, perhaps. Here a breezy and vibrant Spanish-guitar led rendition closes out the EP on an uplifting note.

Suddenly, a pair of remixers were selected who were thought to be in tune with “Chainsaw”‘s off-kilter motif. The Italian duo Ajello burst forth with a synth-powered disco revelation that takes the sinister overtone and boldly throws it towards the dancefloor. São Paulo’s rising house music talent Jota Wagner also tackles the theme with a funky confidence. His steadily evolving remix piles on layers of melody and rhythm, at one point giving way to a demonic cackle. Mysterious business throughout.

Q-Burns Abstract Message‘s “Chainsaw” introduces a busy year for the seasoned electronic music producer. In addition to his constant stream of remixes and DJ work Q-BAM is currently recording a follow-up EP as well as his long-awaited album project. Keep watching for more to come from Q-Burns Abstract Message and EIGHT-TRACKS

What they can be heard saying:
Al Bradley (Bugged Out, UK) – “The Analog Version of this is far & away the track of the year so far for me, quite simply stunning. All the hallmarks of one of ‘those’ tracks that everyone plays from deep to house to garage to techno DJs, it’s just TOO good to not play it. The Loose mix is a belter too – how can one track be two such absolute belters? Q-BAM on fire here.”
Kraak & Smaak – “Great stuff from Ajello, the one to watch this year! Putting it in our new DJ mix as we speak.”
Luke Solomon (Freaks, UK) – “Loving the Analog Version jam, man. It’s super-killer.”
The Revenge (UK) – “I’m liking the Loose Version.”
Alf Tumble (Bangana / Sumo) – “A quality pack right up my street. Can’t choose a favorite between Ajello’s hooror-late-night-style or the Balearic Version. Well done, amigos.”
Llorca (Art Of Tones, France) – “Wow… Ajello remix is HOT! I like the Analog Version, too.”

Joey Silvaro (Distant People, UK) – “The Loose Version has some serious bass … it nearly blew me out of my chair!”
Richie Hartness (Untitled Music Blog) – “The ghostly Ajello Remix jumps out of this EP for me – haunted chords and a wicked bassline. The Loose Version has a odd-ball electro heartbeat that’s really appealing and the Balearic Version is just too damn sexy with keys and electronics fusing on a sandy beach somewhere just after sunset.”
Checkpoint Charlie (MyCuppaT Blog) – “Brilliant, crazy, wonkiness! Love it! There’s real energy in all of the tracks; powerful and purposful. The Ajello has wonderful deep undertones, as does the more laid back Loose version. Jota Wagner is back to the naughty, devilish side. Pounding kick, spiralling synth… madness! The Balearic Version takes off in another direction all together – nice breakbeat combination with the crazy synth. Yeah… this is the one! Great package!”

Available right now exclusively from Beatport.

The press release for this describes it best:
“Imprisoned studio warlock Q-Burns Abstract Message was on hand to complement “Missing You” with a suspiciously spacious remix. Drawing inspiration from a pile of broken King Tubby records, Q-BAM’s version rattles within a moisture-soaked cell block, building into an analog epiphany further enhanced through a steaming, dusty spring reverb box. Totally slinky for the dancefloor, it aims to beguile the rarely hypnotized.”

Aha!

Listen here:

Brett Johnson – Missing You (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) – EIGHT-TRACKS 8TR008 by Q-Burns Abstract Message

As stated above this is out right now on Beatport and will be available everywhere else on March 2. It’s been released by the exquisite deep house label EIGHT-TRACKS. You should also check out Brett’s original on the release (as well as other remixes by Alland Byallo and Brett himself) … you can do so by clicking HERE.

Once again, as a reminder, I’m always up for remixing if your label or song is in need of something like the above. Feel free to contact me by clicking HERE.

GusGus – VIP (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) by Q-Burns Abstract Message

A few fun facts (to me, at least) about this remix: I had just discovered the program Metasynth and the repeating sound loop that opens this is the vocal line manipulated through that. This mix started my predilection with recording fake stand-up bass lines which I still sort of have to this day (see my “Mouth” remix from a couple weeks ago). The second part of the mix was meant to be a ‘bonus beats’ version but it’s timed so it can be played as an epilogue to the actual mix (and appears like this on the UK vinyl version). When I later did my live shows (on the Meat Beat Manifesto and Lo-Fidelity All Stars tours) I would usually do this ‘bonus beats’ bit as the last song of my set. The weird little ambient ‘crackling’ noises that are on this mix (and pretty much all my remixes from this period) are from a preset on a Roland JX-8P that was purchased from Dave Allen (of Shriekback/Gang Of Four fame).

I don’t think this was ever released digitally … as far as I know it’s vinyl only, folks. The UK 12″ version with my mix complete with bonus beats can be found on Discogs.com HERE. There was also a US version which has the shorter version of the mix, sans bonus beats, which you can find HERE. This second 12″ is quite the curiosity in my career as I share remix credits with Francois K. and Masters At Work. So cool.

I’m still in touch with some of the members of GusGus. Their new album, titled 24/7, is quite good.

Once again, as a reminder, I’m always up for remixing if your label or song is in need of something like the above. Feel free to contact me by clicking HERE.

Click HERE for Q-Burns Abstract Message on Facebook.

Here’s the first one. Cool tracks within that I’ve been enjoying this month. I hope you like it.

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