This is the kind of release that looks terrible on paper and just cries out to given a cringe-inducing listen and a scathing review. Do we really need another version of Bring the Noise? All involved think so…

First up, I must say I was shocked. The Benny Benassi remix of Bring the Noise sounds unexpectedly good. The trademark vocal rap that has been sampled and reworked countless times over the years, but here it’s used to particularly good effect. A driving bassy and bleepy background keeps the tune on step. The familiar old school hiphop call, “Bass, how low can you go?” always grabs the attention.

The Ferry Corsten remix is a little less interesting, with a hihat heavy snap and wobbly bass line. The vocals sound great cut up and spliced, but are overused. There is also a Don Diablo remix of Give it Up which is best to be avoided. The vocal refrain sounds pathetic in this twisted techy context, and the track is rendered unlistenable not far into its elapsed time.

Hip hop pioneer Chuck D spoke about the remixes prior to their release. “Bring The Noise is a perfect track to experiment with; its pace, energy and lyrics make for an interesting mix of potential ideas,” he said. “Ferry Corsten makes the ultimate concoction of all these elements, like a mad scientist,” he declared.

The infamously outspoken icon was equally excited about Benny Benassi’s effort (“Benny certainly can bring the noise”) and labelled both DJs ‘sonic wizards of today’. “This is an appropriate and exciting project,” he added, “Since Public Enemy evolved from the same elements of DJ diversity that helped formulate dance and electronica in the first place.”

Is his evaluation correct? I’ll let you be the judge.