Artist: Mona Lisa Overdrive
Title: Born To Synthasize (Remixes Disc 1)
Label: Platipus Records
By: Simon Jones | 2 January 2003
Tracklist:

• A1: Solar Stone Mix
• A2: Solar Stone Acapella
• B1: Pole Folder Mix

Mona Lisa Overdrive "Born To Synthasize (Remixes Disc 1)"

Way back in 1995, when Sasha and Digweed first took their steps to the heavens as gods of prog, there were four guys called Ben, Steve, Steve and Steve (very confusing indeed), but as Mona Lisa Overdrive they made a track that became rather popular called 'Born To Synthasize' which came out on a label called Dynamo. Now sometime later, Platipus dust it off and give it some new mixes, so what do they add to or take away from it.. let's investigate..

'Solar Stone' stray from the template that has produced such tracks as 'Solarcoaster' and 'Seven Cities' and venture into slightly old skool 90s prog house territory for their mix. Big piano chords ripple through a funky percussive groove, but when it comes to the crunch the whole mix lacks that something that packs a punch and is more of a brown mark than a gold star. There's an acapella to boot which obviously has it uses but isn't going to make you wet your pants with excitement. Oh joy!!

Thank god for 'Pole Folder' who comes in and saves the day with a deep percussion based mix that utilises series upon series of sweeping ambient chords which fill out the track allowing the vocal to breathe as the drums kick and rattle below. The vocal becomes the focus leadiing to the break as Steve Roberts belts out the words like his life depends on it. Dropping out into a lush chilled second half this mix proves that Pole Folder is able to adapt styles with ease, and is one of the reasons why he will be a name to watch in the coming months.

Not particularly Platipus's shining moment, but for what they have tried to do they have succeeded with average results. Only worth taking a look at if you are a fan of Pole Folder, but otherwise one that could quite easily be avoided.