Taken from their second album, ‘Now Til ‘69’ should bring more, deserved commercial reward for London’s Shortwave Set. They were recently responsible for one of the best re-mixes of recent times (‘Enfant Terrible,’ by Sonny J) so it was interesting to hear their own new material.
The original mix (there are another three mixes in the single version) has the feel of a David Bowie / Roxy Music collaboration with the backing of a Sixties female group. It maintains a consistent beat throughout, making it highly danceable. It is one of those few songs that seem to be taken from a different era and dropped into the present without actually sounding dated. In fact it is unlikely to sound dated even when played in several years time. (Not even Queen songs could be considered timeless!)
The Mirwais re-mix, to be honest, offers no real improvement (difficult to do with such a strong track anyway) although the Mirwais Club re-mix, at over nine minutes in length represents good value, with enough subtle variation from the original to retain the listener’s interest.
The Aeroplane re-mix is not much shorter in length and has a more ‘electro,’ sound to it. It’s OK, but the original and Mirwais Club re-mix would have been sufficient. More doesn’t necessarily mean better, but it does offer choice I suppose.
The other two tracks on the single are the exclusive new song, ‘Petrol To The Flame,’ and ‘Under Endeavour.’ The former has a country & western ring to it. Updated ‘nineteen-seventies,’ Country & Western that is – though it is hard to imagine Lynn Anderson singing, “we all stand in line in the clothes we soak in petrol.” It is however a catchy, modern country, quiet stomper. Yes – very pleasant.
‘Under Endeavour’ is offered at a slower pace altogether and at times can sound like that bird from Abba singing the Roberta Flack classic, ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.’ (!)
Interesting, enjoyable and definitely worth checking out.