We're approaching 100 posts now, which I think is a fairly sterling effort since May for two guys who really should be concentrating on other things of perhaps greater priority than music.... Who am I kidding? Those 'greater priorities' i.e education, have only acted as distractions to us, preventing us posting at a faster rate than already. In review then, I think SOTW has been a success; we've managed to stay true to our original plan, which was simply just post music and our opinions on music we like, and hopefully that music and those opinions have been enjoyed by others. Some have told me they are, but either way our plan will stay the same.

I couldn't wait another three posts just for the sake of some kind of ceremonious occasion to post this, although it would have been gloriously appropriate. Our blog isn't named Sweat On The Walls just because we like the name, and its obvious connotations of underground rave familiarity, but also because we love John Tejada's legendary 2004 anthem. It will never become 'old' in the sense it feels old, and can't be used in modern day sets. It has a wonderfully evergreen aesthetic, possibly because Tejada has always been consistent with his unique style, something that explains why he is so highly respected as a producer. For someone as prolific, it's a remarkable feat to be have literally never sent out a bad record. It's these attributes that made Sweat On The Walls so timeless, and why only recently Donnacha Costello, Martin Lansky and XoX have decided to release their remixes on Poker Flat Recordings.

Sweat On The Walls is notoriously difficult to remix or reproduce, as me and Chris have found out. I wouldn't say it's the metaphorical 'blank canvas' for a remix, like many electronic productions are, but Martin Lansky's effort is probably the best on the three-track EP. He's barely fiddled with the bassline, but he's rearranged that legendary main synth pattern in a way that works perfectly with those anthemic vocals. In conclusion, he's allowed the original ideas to stay powerful, while injecting just a few engaging modifications. Donnacha Costello's remix is not quite as impressive. It's barely different from the original, just without the awesome progressiveness that we love it for. Nonetheless there is still a narcotic, hazy quality that makes it a worthy effort. Xox's 2004 adaption meanwhile, keeps all that progression and lays down a terrific squelchy acid line. Ladies and gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to post Sweat On The Walls once more...

John Tejada - Sweat On The Walls (Martin Landsky Remix)


John Tejada - Sweat On The Walls (Donacha Costello Remix)


John Tejada - Sweat On The Walls (Xox 2004 Remix)