Artist: Conjure One
Title: Center of the Sun
Label: Nettwerk Productions
By: Chad Harnish | 25 August 2003
Tracklist:

• 29 Palms Remix
• Junkie XL Remix
• Solar Stone's Chilled Out Remix

Conjure One "Center of the Sun"

Rhys Fulber, who together with Bill Leebs pioneered new sounds behind Front Line Assembly and Delerium, delivers a new single from his solo LP Conjure One. This single follows “Tears from the Moon” and is releasing on Nettwerk this fall. It is a remix package of ‘Center of the Sun’ featuring vocals and lyrics from the critically acclaimed Atlantic recording artist Poe. Remixers stepping up to take a swing at this cut are Solar Stone, Junkie XL and 29 Palms.

On the original version, which is said to be included on the retail release, Rhys uses great production techniques to wrap this song around your head. "I wrote the melodies and lyrics after just three listens," says vocalist Poe, who appears on both "Center of the Sun" and "Make A Wish" on the LP. "Rhys' music inspires that sort of creativity. His songs are beautiful and have that rare timeless feeling."

29 Palms which have had a large run with Perfecto, come to Nettwerk to deliver a Perfecto styled remix. The remix if full of bounce and energy adding an energetic variation to the subtle original. Synthetic strings are bright and glaring at times and the beat is predictably punchy. Certainly not my style, however with it’s addition, it adds a little something for everyone.

Tom Holkenborg is making quite a name for himself as of late. That name is Junkie XL. His remix of BT’s Somnambulist on Nettwerk met with lots of enthusiasm and was preceded by large scale cuts for the second Matrix film. Oh, and don’t forget his work with the production legend Sasha. His remix of “Center of the Sun” is one of the best things I have heard out of him. The sound is full of depth and showcases his production brilliance. He uses Poe’s vocals sparingly to accent his tight variety of percussion and acoustic imagery. This remix is excellent, even to Junkie’s standards. It is also the reason for the high rating.

Solar Stone, the masters who have brought us Seven Cities and Solarcoaster, whisper in to the remix package a luscious ambient version. Building on the already strong melodies of the original, this ambient version is a lush piece full of beautiful strings and lots of Poe’s beautiful vocals. Guitar licks penetrate nicely through the hazy ambience and are reminiscent of some of Dire Straits’ better works. Also a great remix building to the value of this single.