Demon Dubs: Mr. G remixes Scuba’s 2011 classic “Loss”

With some infamous exceptions kept in mind, new remixes on a reissue are almost always a good idea and the new remixes for the 2011 Aus Music track “Loss” are sublime. Scuba released this under the “SCB” alias backed with “FutureUnknown” — it was in the parlance of the times a “WTF track,” in that it made people on first hearing ask just what the fuck they were hearing. Nothing about the individual components stood out as revolutionary, but the arrangement made DJs ask if this producer knew what the fuck he was doing, only to conclude by the end of it that he knew how to make a hot house track better than they did. A vocal loop spins and rotates like an industrial fan, while a minimal bassline pops up and refuses to crouch back down in the background where it belongs. Big, sloppy, trancey waves overwhelm the mix and they don’t belong here either. It’s inspiring, especially for those who worry there’s nothing new under the sun.

“Loss” gets a reissue here in a migration from Aus to Scuba’s Hotflush, backed by the original “FutureUnknown” and a pair of unreleased and in one case new mixes. Mr. G takes “Loss” to school with a glowering, slightly demonic dub that goes to a few places the original hadn’t thought of. The fury of hats and percussion at the end makes this an epic odyssey for adventurous DJs.

The “Voxattack” remix of “FutureUnknown” is not new and it’s apparently made “many appearances” in Scuba’s DJ sets over the years. With aggressive percussion and the insistent “Is this the future?” vocal getting in your face, it brings to mind some of the sinister loft classics from classic era Relief. An excellent tribute to one of Scuba’s most groundbreaking releases.

⚪️ Loss… The Re-Up Tracklisting

SCB: Loss... The Re-Up (Hotflush / 12" Vinyl + Digital)
1. Loss (Remaster) (06:11)
2. Loss (Mr. G's Raw Dub) (05:46)
3. FutureUnknown (Voxattack) (06:29)
4. FutureUnknown (Remaster) (07:46)
5. Loss (Edit) (04:38)

⚪️ Disclosure Statement

This record was submitted as a promo.

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MADE IN CHICAGO: First published in 5 Mag Issue #220 featuring Jamie 3:26, Ryan Sadorus, Alexander Flood, James Duncan on Canada’s Collective Rhythm Network and more. Become a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right now…

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