I've written something along these lines before and I'll repeat it again: remixing a breakthrough track like Maya Jane Coles' "What They Say" requires more boldness, inventiveness, and daring than a more obscure track - particularly when the remixes are released some seven months after the original release became a hit. The crew from Real Tone takes a stab here with mixed results.
As with previous Real Tone remixes, I think Franck Roger's take is probably the best, with some tripped out percussion and something painfully lacking in some of the others - energy. Unless you have a crowd that prefers to stand around and appreciate how "clean" a set of drums sounds rather than dance, this is my pick of the mix. The dark and moody Dyed Soundorom remix is getting a lot of play and if you're into deep tech, that's probably what you're looking for. It seems a pretty deflating and uninspired experience to me, really lacking in the '90s style energy that I loved in the original, but your mileage may vary.
While listening to this, I couldn't help but to think that there was something missing here, and I think I put my finger on it. It's implicit in the title: Maya Jane Coles: The Remixes. After hearing Maya's remix of 4th Measure Men's "4 You" on Defected or Maceo Plex's "Your Style" on Crosstown Rebels, I'm curious to hear what she would do with a track that has become popular enough to be separated from the creator and belong, in a sense, in the public domain. It's kind of surprising that we have yet to hear her own take on "What They Say" or "Don't Tell" more than a half year after their debut.
[ - Review by Terry Matthew / May 2011 - ]
Available: Apparently an exclusive at traxsource.
Franck Roger Remix
Dyed Soundorom Remix
| + | Track Listing | Duration | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01: | Maya Jane Coles: What They Say (Dyed Soundorom Remix) | 6:47 | |
| 02: | Maya Jane Coles: Don't Tell (Manoo Remix) | 8:06 | |
| 03: | Maya Jane Coles: What They Say (Shonky Remix) | 7:18 |  |
| 04: | Maya Jane Coles: What They Say (Franck Roger Remix) | 7:43 | |
| 05: | Maya Jane Coles: Don't Tell (Manoo Club Mix) | 7:19 | |
| 06: | Maya Jane Coles: Don't Tell (Manoo Deep Mix) | 7:20 | |
| 07: | Maya Jane Coles: What They Say (Nicolas Denis Remix) | 7:05 |
Terry Matthew is the managing editor of 5 Magazine. You can contact him at 
