The last release of Alan Dweck, Just Another Step (Stimpy Dub), is laid-back and atmospheric music of emotion and groove. This new remix by DJ Stimpy takes this originally soulful, genre-blending song that Dweck grew up in blues, jazz, rock and classics, and brings it to the dancefloor without robbing it of its gravitas.
The Stimpy Dub goes the atypical route of taking the emotional center of the song and remaking it into something more cinematic and ready to hit a club. Mellow, fuzzy stacks of electronic tone collide with regular percussion and the slight reverberations of Middle East melodic influences. That is the type of remix that does not only make you groove, but also fills you with the message. It is rather enigmatic, slightly depressing and captivatingly hypnotic.
The first version was created by Dweck with more emphasis on music itself as a story, with a deep tone of vocal and careful production by creating the illusion of time that seems to be still. Stimpy retains that energy, but gives it a different pulse; a pulse which lives under the lurid glow of late night lights and smoke filled rooms. The dub is not dominating, yet it transcends and brings the listeners further into the aura with every repetition.
The detail is what makes this episode, the “Just Another Step (Stimpy Dub)”, remarkable. It is not in a hurry, it is no fashion and overproduced. No, it is natural and has room in it where every sound could breathe. The outcome is a song that is both new and classic, something you could listen to when you are relaxing and when you want to move to a pounding party.
Alan Dweck goes further to demonstrate that it is not matter of following trends but rather developing experiences in his artistry. Linking up with Stimpy has just widened that vision bearing something thick, contemplative and unavoidably groovy to dance to. This may be only a step forward but we already eagerly anticipate farther step forward.
