Orbital – Mutations

Ray Keith's hardcore by numbers remix in no way betters the original Chime. Beltram provides a lazy mix of Oolaa. Moby's mix of Speed Freak is ok but doesn't really go anywhere. The Meat Beat Manifesto version of Oolaa is on a KLF tip but just provides a boring meander through samples. Overall a throwaway vinyl in my opnion.

What a classic EP.
I knew and loved from back in the day 2 tracks from here:
- ''Chime (Ray Keith Mutation)'', which is the best version of this tittle by far, super classic, a hardcore techno anthem, also appeared in the ffrr's hardcore compilation ''Only For The Headstrong'', (i don't like the original Chime from 1989 at all, i find it trash)
- ''Moby's - Speed freak'' which it instantly hit me from the first time i heard it on the radio, and it was my favorite track from this release.
The only track out of 4 that i hadn't heard before, is Meat Beat Manifesto's remix of Oolaa, and what a pleasant surprise when i bought this vinyl. This is NOW by far the best track of this EP, and way darker, deeper and advanced that the rest 3.
The only track that i didn't feel in to it back in time, was Joey Beltram' remix of Oolaa, while it is classic, it was very trance/ hard trance for my taste, but it grew me also, and now i consider this EP as a 4 out of 4 belters.

Styles of the tracks:
A1 Trance
A2 Hardcore techno
B1 House / techno
B2 Breaks

Speed Freak Mobys mix is the best track on this EP by far. I first heard the track on Stu Allans mad mastermix show. Moby was indeed a wonderkid early in his career before he changed into the commercial muppet somewhat later. Such a shame but he wasnt the only one.

the Ray Keith is the magic mix that keeps the feeling alive. Basic, but so mythical sounding. very classy work.

Wicked remixes of the original 1989 classic acid house track! For me, it's all about the Joey Beltram and Ray Keith Mutations!

Ray Keith's 'Mutation' of 'Chime' didn't need to reach the heights of the original; He knew what the floor wanted & simply drove a class break (a la Bug Khan & The Plastic Jam) behind it for the ravers. Mass pirate radio & club play. Huge track, for a slightly different crowd. A rave anthem.

A very interesting release this. I originally sought this out for Moby's outstanding remix of Speed Freak. The remix takes the original track to another level producing a heavier more dancefloor orientated groove. The keyboard stabs are beefed up and are highly representative of the hardcore rave sound of the time, and overall the production quality seems to have been improved upon. Moby really was a different prospect during this era, and make no mistake this is an underground anthem (even if Pete Tong did hammer it on his essential selection show at the time). The other remixes do not quite live up to this one in my opinion but are interesting all the same, each offering something different, from the heavy bass and breaks of Meat Beat Manifesto to Joey Beltram's slamming techno sounds on Oolaa, and Ray Keith's rolling Jungle breaks on Chime. All of which are good, but struggle to reach the heights of the originals, unlike Moby, although they do spread the appeal and diversity of the release.