Dam Swindle ‘Keep On Swindling Part 1’ (HEIST)

Dam Swindle are back on Heist and coming in hot with a series of 3 releases in 2022 to celebrate a decade of Dam Swindle or Detroit Swindle, the moniker the pair has been known for, previously.

The aptly titled ‘Keep on Swindling’ EP’s form a collection of classic DS tracks that have been re-engineered and remixed as well as new material from the Dutch duo. The first EP features two new originals, a stellar rework of ‘The Break Up’ by rising UK jazz star Emma-Jean Thackray and a 2022 mix of their 2014 hit: ‘64 Ways’ featuring Mayer Hawthorne.

The EP kicks off with ‘Body Control’: A fresh DS production that has all the elements in there to become their next club hit. A tight garage groove smothered in congas forms the basis for this track along with its deep repetitive bassline. It’s the musical elements that make this track really stand out though. There’s swinging offbeat synth hits, sample chops, lush pads and vibrant arpeggios building momentum for dancers to lose their sh*t (or their body control) every time this track is played.

‘The Break Up’, originally part of the first release on Heist back in 2013 has only been remixed once in that same year by Max Graef. The track now gets a full make over courtesy of the amazingly talented Emma-Jean Thackray, who has been playing the original in her sets for a long time. Her version is loaded with newly recorded parts – vocals and horns included – and gives the original an amazing live jazz twist. This remix gave us some serious goosebumps when we first heard it. It’s in one word: essential!

On the flip, the duo offers a 2022 mix of their track ’64 Ways’ featuring Mayer Hawthorne. ‘64 Ways’ was originally released as part of their album Boxed Out in 2014 and was their first venture into vocal collaborations. None other than Mayer Hawthorne -a serious house-head himself- came over to Amsterdam to record the track and it was an instant hit. Now, with some new engineering done, the guys have dusted off their old project to great effect. The 2022 mix makes this track sound warm, powerful and well rounded, giving new life to this DS classic.

The final track of the EP is ‘All I want’; the second production on this record that sees Dam Swindle deliver a track that has ‘summer festival’ written all over it; synth stabs, diva vocals, acid lines and a huge breakdown included.

The ‘Keep on Swindling’ EP is the first outing of Dam Swindle in their anniversary year. We can’t wait for the other ones to come! Must buy!

HOUSE

4.5 out of 5

REVIEWED BY MANNIX