- The Italoboyz haven't been the most prolific of artists, but they've always had a keen eye for quality control. Their tracks stand out due to their strong dub feel and because they manage to twist heads by resorting to small rhythmic devices placed within the minimal aesthetic. This is often based on a sinister repetition of off-kilter sounds, but 'Viktor Casanova' takes it to another level entirely.
I have to say that I was initially a bit prejudiced about this record, having heard a lot about it before actually hearing it. Favourable comments from Ricardo Villalobos didn't fill me full of hope either, having come to regard him, after his gypsy orchestra release of last year, as having taken up permanent residence in a deluxe k-hole. Ricardo and the Italoboyz, please accept my unreserved apologies.
The truth is that this is a simple idea brilliantly executed. The Lee Curtiss' mix stands out because it doesn't make use of the by now hyped opera vocal (who, and what has been sampled please?). It keeps the solid foundation that runs through all the mixes though, and gallops along at an even pace, making use of a nice off-key bass which is interrupted by random climbing synth stabs that have a distinctly industrial tone. Samim, whose stock is rising with each successive release, turns in a remix that strips down the original to its bare bones and emphasises all that is interesting about glitchiness. But it's the original that stands out, with its quite ridiculous intro of drowsy, drunken sampled vocals. It's worth pointing out that apart from the opera sample, the original makes use of a collage of minor vocals and voices which combine to create an effect of general queasiness while the bass kick keeps things nicely undulating.
A very strong first release from Mothership. The only problem they, and the Italoboyz, have now is how they're going to follow it up.
TracklistA1 Victor Casanova (original)
B1 Victor Casanova (Samim remix)
B2 Victor Casanova (Lee Curtiss remix)