Buy link: strictlyrhythm.lnk.to/HSOCVol1PR
Josh Wink’s acid house classic ‘Higher State of Consciousness’ gets the fresh remix treatment from Damian Lazarus and Mathew Jonson. ‘Higher State Of Consciousness Remixes Vol 1’ lands 17th March on Strictly Rhythm and is the first in a series of remixes of the iconic track, which will also feature new versions by Max Cooper, Alter Ego, Erol Alkan, and Kink.
Originally released in 1995 and highlighted as one of Rolling Stone’s ‘Greatest Dance Songs Of All Time’ in 2022, Josh Wink’s iconic ‘Higher State Of Consciousness’ is a track that barely needs introduction such as its impact and influence. Making a stellar return in 2023, the acid house staple receives a stunning new lease of life in ‘Higher State Of Consciousness Remixes Vol 1’ with updates from icons in their own right, Damian Lazarus and Mathew Jonson.
The three-track EP opens with the first of two re-imaginings from Crosstown Rebels maestro Damian Lazarus. No stranger to delivering an absolute dance-floor weapon, Lazarus puts his own distinctive spin on Josh Wink’s iconic 303 lines transforming it into the backbone of his own dark sonic fantasy. A deep and brooding remix with a breakdown that will send a whole new generation of ravers into a frenzy just as its 90s predecessor did.
Taking this moody fever dream a step further and a few inches deeper with his ‘Re-shape Deeper Remix’ on track two, Lazarus gives us another late-night stormer. Full of paired back elements and glitchy details, we are drawn into the irresistible lure of altered realities amid the throb of a 5 am dance floor.
Mathew Jonson does not disappoint as he completes ‘Higher State Of Consciousness Remixes Volume 1’, known for his ‘rare fusion of populist intensities and nuanced musicality’ he rounds off the volume with a full-throttle banger. Going hard for warehouse heaviness, with electro and moments and intermittent ghostly synths, Jonson introduces a pleasant unnerving ness to Wink’s masterpiece and gives us a pulsating delight of techno wonk that ravers will find it hard to stay still to.
Lazarus and Jonson kick off remix duties in impressive style, taking ‘Higher State Of Consciousness’ to thrilling new territories whilst reminding us of why the track has stood the test of time decade after decade. ‘Higher State Of Consciousness Remixes Vol 1’ is a must-have for Wink fans new and old and will no doubt be pummelled across dance floors in the coming months.
Damian Lazarus:
“Attempting to remix one of dance musics’ all-time classic records is both a poison and a curse. I took 2 journeys here for my re-shapes, the main mix is the poison and the deep mix is the curse. Staying true to the original but offering some additional weirdness and darkness.”
Mathew Jonson:
“‘Higher State of Consciousness’, where do I even start with this record. I danced to this back when I put blue sparkles in my hair and wore fat pants to illegal wear-house parties. Never in my life would I have thought I’d be remixing it back then! Thanks Josh for allowing me the pleasure and also for being a bright light in the darkness”.
Release date: March 17th, 2023.