IN STRICT CONFIDENCE – “Babylon 1&2” CDS


Minuswelt team is hyper-active again. I mean, why releasing single on one disc and scraping couple of remixes, when you can do a stylish twin-disc edition making it more exclusive and exotic? Smart thinking and rather practical approach. Let’s see whether it worked…

‘Babylon’ in three versions by In Strict Confidence should be discussed first. Hm… strong feeling of “Love Kills!” album… sharper though, less gloomy in atmosphere and taste. But yes, excellent. I am almost convinced that they can’t make a boring track. They do get close, occasionally, with a number of dark, 7+ minutes instrumentals, but on this release(s), boredom is reserved for couple of remixes. Yes, Hecq again, but let’s get back to original work: Ostermann’s voice is perfect; lyrics are excellent; melody is catchy (in ISC meaning of the word); production is superb. Nothing new. Artwork is fantastic, design – classic. Nothing less is expected from one of the most respected bands in the scene. No, I am not going to give it the highest mark. Let’s see why…

If remixers had a professional approach to remixing such track as ‘Babylon’, and if more bands in the scene have had not as much talent, but more original ideas and more of true dedication as ISC does, then for instance, more than a couple (of seven) remixes on this release would have been good. It is quite obvious why In Strict Confidence is a good band and why many aren’t and will never be. Let’s start with Benny Boysen and Hecq: Given all credit and benefit of a doubt because as much as three (!) tracks of this artist were allowed by Musicwelt to appear on this edition, I still can not write a word of praise for his rework of ‘Babylon’. ‘Sleeper edit’ will survive a more than a couple of spins, other two (on disc 2) not even that many. I don’t understand this relentless attempts of cross-breeding darkwave/industrial and breakbeat/ambient. Work on ‘True Life’ by Lights Of Euphoria and Pzychobitch’s ‘Killing Smile’ support my stand that this mixing simply doesn’t work (in his case). Attempt by L’ Ame Immortelle to blend acoustic guitars and club-paced electro also failed. Surprise, knowing who was in charge of remix…
To avoid complete failure, trusted name of Steve Dragon comes to rescue. Proven in fantastic ‘Engelsstaub’ work, he is a real figure to offer the talent and skill for remixing In Strict Confidence. Now this blend, darkwave/industrial + psychedelic trance really works. ‘Morph The Visions’… hm.. it is not clear who wrote this one – it is featured on Dragon’s “The Sonic Aura” album as well… nevertheless, listen and learn. Also, much can be taken from Monstré Mekunnik’s approach and even more from the best remix on both cds – ‘Babylon Nebukadnetzar’ by Frank Klatt from Die Farben. A stunning (actually, moving) club hit! Strong vocals and stronger sounds always work. Listen and dance!

Let’s see if there’s more…

Nadine Stelzer is featured again. And with full right to be: her lyrics and especially singing on ‘Blue Light’ offer nice counterbalance to Ostermann’s deep and cold vocals. Also, the song itself is a counterbalance to ‘Babylon’ and also, to standard ‘gothic’ songs.
Also featured again are those unavoidable long moody songs. More than an instrumental ‘Deep black’ is what it’s name says, but with an element of surprise. Unusual, what can I say – I was expecting full seven minutes of darkness and hazy ambience…

Sadly, not by fault of ISC, this little project of ‘Babylon’ does not meet the level of quality of their previous work. Maybe it is a wrong choice of remixers, maybe too many remixes… try this: buy one of the two discs, that should help. Pick one where you’ll find more original In Strict Confidence tracks.