Nonplus trigger a keenly awaited series of Source Direct remasters + remixes with their Hokusai killer, 'Black Rose' (1996), reworked by Blawan. This is truly momentous stuff, illuminating a pivotal pinnacle of '90s dance music for a new generation whilst also providing fresh, state-of-the-art context thru modern scenes. Beloved of everyone from Kode 9 to Nonplus+'s infamous boss, Boddika, the original 'Black Rose' is an unparalleled blueprint for mid '90s jungle, a 'marish phantasia of slashing strings, bowel-spilling Reese bass and ouroboros-like breakbeats chasing their tails in MPC-twysted möbius loop chicanery. Approaching such watertight and impenetrable material is no small task, and one which Blawan executes with style, reducing the breaks and strings to a brute but slinky shunt and pensive drone tucking the original dynamic deeper in the pocket. It's masterful, unmissable work from both operators, and a sterling, adroit example of UK dance music at its visionary, hybridising best.
