Paul van Dyk's celebrated artist album
In Between was followed by lots of touring, a situation that lends itself naturally to a follow-up placeholder release built purely out of remixes. A project like this can be either a cynical money move or a genuine artistic exploration that sheds new light on the original versions. In this case, it's mostly the latter -- and the budget-line pricing helps dispel the cynical view as well. The album opens powerfully with
van Dyk's own remix of "Talk in Grey," a brilliant version on which
Ryan Merchant's lush and laid-back vocal is counterposed with an urgent house beat. A
Kyau & Albert remix of "Complicated" mines similar territory, though the beat is more complex and
Ashley Tomberlin's vocals are even prettier. On the second disc,
Tomberlin is back for the
Giuseppe Ottaviani remix of "Get Back," on which a nervous and jumpy beat suddenly gives way to a straightforwardly gorgeous song. The
Tyler Michaud remix of "Haunted" and
Tom Colontonio's take on "Complicated" are equally lovely, and if the
Reaves & Ahorn remix of "Détournement" is a bit headache-inducing, well, it's a rare house or trance compilation that can go that long without inducing a headache. [This edition includes a bonus disc featuring seven additional remixes.] ~ Rick Anderson