Search - System 7 :: System Express

The road more travelled

loteq | 02/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Any System 7 disc is welcome in my stereo, anytime. This, however, is a widely varied collection of incredible remixes; new twists on already choice selections. The beats stay fresh through many, many journeys.
- Ryan"

It-ness

loteq | Regensburg | 03/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A 79-minute compilation of four previously available single remixes and seven exclusive mixes, "System express" presents a quite nice documentation or even a de-facto "Best of" release for the most esoteric techno combo of the '90s. One reason why "System express" stands out from the string of other System 7 records is the uncompromising depth and power of the beats and rhythms found on most of these remixes, largely due to the strictly dance-oriented approach many of the involved remixers decided to take. Also, the continuous DJ mix without any breaks and the production of the album are incredibly strong, which means that there are very few subtleties in the music and each dynamic is pushed to its limit. The list of remixers includes some of techno's best-knwon artists - Ritchie Hawtin (aka Plastikman), Carl Cox, Greg Hunter, Marshall Jefferson, and so on - so I'm sure that clubheads will lap up the disc's sonic assault, but people who enjoyed the leisurely paced "Fire + Water" double-disc set and the band's early, more pop-inclined output may be baffled by the punchy rhythms. It begins well with the slow-building, crunchy 10-minute mix of "Alpha wave", offering far more clarity and power than the original version found on "Fire album" while also bringing out the acid-techno element much better, and then seamlessly flows into the thundering, bass-heavy mix of "Desir". The latter, appropriately titled "Turbo mix", is a definite highlight in the band's catalog, with Hillage's lightning-speed clipped riffs and a relentless dance beat that would make many other artists curl up and hide under their mixing desk. The remix of "Coltrane" is actually not too far removed from the original version, but the drums and wide-open atmospherics are given further presence and serve the track even more compelling. Of course, then-modern drum 'n' bass tunes aren't left out, as Jacob's Optical Stairway's mix of "Big sky city" and Doc Scott's atmospheric reworking of "Interstate" prove. The former is quite interesting with its almost Photek-like mesh of slamming rhythm patterns while the latter provides a useful counterpoint to the heavier dance tunes on this album. A slightly speeded-up, more complex version of "Sunburst" - the first track from System 7's eponymous debut - is also worthy of merit. The only disappointments come in the shape of some generic and pointless tunes half-way through the album: "Altitude" and another remix of "Big sky city" offer nothing of the melodic attractiveness and danceability that make the remainder of the album so insistent. Also, Marshall Jefferson's contribution, a remix of "Sirenes", sounds far too outdated with its '80s style drum machines and frequency modulations. Like much of System 7's backcatalog, "System express" has gone through several incarnations: The current version was released on the band's own Alpha Wave label and is available in the USA through Cleopatra Records. The original issue included a second disc with two additional remixes, "Sirenes" and "Interstate", while the Japanese import version came up with one bonus remix. Although listening to the whole disc at home can be hard work, in smaller doses this remix compilation is an impressive example of hard-hitting dance music and is recommended for anyone who wants to have an extra kick for his next private party. You could do much worse than start your System 7 collection with this disc, however, many of the band's earlier releases and their latest offering "7th wave" are also worth being discovered as they're all excellent."

Ambient electro at its best

mrian21@hotmail.com | 06/08/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"System 7's "System Express" delivers killer mixes of the some of the best tracks from their previous albums. If you're into electronic music then this album is a must!"