(Jalapeno/EMI)

Do You Dream? 12” [JAL 26]
A1: Steve Angello Remix
A2: Original
B1: Kraak en Smaak Remix
B2: Dirty Girl feat. Ian Britt

Do You Dream? (Pound Boys Mixes) 12” [JAL 26R]
A1: Pound Boys Remix
B1: Pound Boys Dub

The Ikon collective continues to release singles from its very successful self-titled debut album of 2003. Reviewed here are two separate releases on UK label Jalapeno Records.

Starting atmospherically, the Original (album) version settles into syncopated downtempo vocal house, à la Hôtel Costes. Pleasant enough background or lounge music. This track does no justice to the inventiveness of some of the other tracks on the album.

The Steve Angello Remix, the first track, is rather disappointing to anyone who has listened to any sizeable quantity of house. The track is standard loop-based club house that closely follows the uptempo formula. If you think you know the tricks used in the making of uptempo/upfront house, make a list and start ticking them off as you listen to this.

But what a relief on the flip side. The Dutch trio of Wim Plug, Oscar de Jong, and Mark Kneppers lend their talents to the Kraak en Smaak Remix (elliptically titled “K&S Remix” on the Australian promo). This time around it’s a laid-back funk interpretation featuring an interesting array of percussion and electric bass, embellished with a flute. The true infectious nature of this track is sure to take hold on the dancefloor through a large club system. The single also features another track, Dirty Girl, which has already been reviewed (see All About below).

On the other 12”, the Pound Boys Remix is another uninteresting commercial house working of the original. Thankfully, the Pound Boys Dub on Side B uses keyboard fills and samples with some syncopation, making it more interesting than the vocal mix. It also features a more insistent beat that should have a stronger effect on the dancefloor.

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