Review Dance

Malcolm McLaren & The Bootzilla Orchestra

Call A Wave

Be With • 1989

Reissue of the Year 2023

Five tracks that need escalating: this is because »Call A Wave« is not only one of the curiosities of music history (Bootsy Collins, Jeff Beck and Malcolm McLaren all appear on the same recording), it is also one of the rarest releases of the period. The track »Call A Wave« can be found in several variations on this rare DJ promo. And the first thing you notice is that »DFC Dance Mix« sounds like it was made in the 21st century – even though the promo was originally released in the late 1980s. (Incidentally, it was never really on sale, which is why it is so incredibly rare). The mixes that follow tend to focus on the different nuances of the song. The »Breakdown Mix« styles itself as a mini trip, with alienated vocals from afar and a more hypnotic rhythm. »Orbital Mix« catapults the piece–how could it be otherwise–into vast synth worlds including artificial strings and all sorts of weird stuff that is supposed to sound like the future. During these five minutes, however, the album sounds more like the eighties than at any other point. On »New Age Mix«, though, the voice disappears completely into the sound. All of this should make this album a rich treasure trove for the beat maker. By the way: no other mix is as spaced-out as the original track. If you check out »Call A Wave Remixes«, you should also give McLaren’s album »Waltz Darling« a shot. 

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