Basement Jaxx – Red Alert

This sterling debut single from the Jaxx's first album immediately thrust them into the spotlight with their own take on the dance genre. Offering up a fun & funky coaster ride that immediately lays out it's party vibe from the off this single includes 3 very different versions of the iconic track. Starting off is an extended club mix of 'Red Alert' that pumps up the beat and gives a worthy introduction to what was already an addictive tune. Including liberal use of Locksmith's 'Far Beyond' for it's bass line as well as samples taken from pedestrian crossings in Australia, this classic 90's tune is the ultimate rendition for any live event.
Next up is a t effort by Erick Morillo & Harry Romero that offers up an awesome New York House take on the single, leaning heavily on the funk style and wasting no time in getting to the meat of the original by playing around with the vocals by Blue James. Spacious and seductive this dub mix has just as much dance potential as it's forebear and could be slipped into any summer set thanks to it's timeless sound, and considering that both producers had been in the remix game since the early 90's you know that 'Red Alert' is in safe hands.
The same sadly can't be said for the last track mixed by Steve Gurley. Starting out as a Jungle/Drum n' Bass musician this reworking delves more into the slick Garage genre that was blossoming at the time. Although making good use of the vocal samples the rest of the tune is unrecognisable and with it's overall sound ages it like milk. In all this single is a mixed bag where it's proven that the reworkings done to Basement Jaxx's singles have always been a bit hit n' miss, but if you like the sound of late 90's dance and the multiple sub-genre's that dominated the charts then this time capsule of a release should be something to check out.