(03.13.05) Part 2 of the Half the Battle series continues the Travis Stewart and friends reworking of original tracks heard and well-enjoyed on prior Machine Drum releases. The battle begins with a welcome reminder of Jewlea’s ice-cool appearance on the debut Now You Know, and supplements the vinyl re-issue of the album nicely in case you need its entirety on wax. This track, like much of Machine Drum’s work, personifies the Miami-based label’s IDM/Hip-hop sound, and reminds us why the artist remains nearly synonymous with Merck Records.
The second track, the appropriately-named “breaking up remix” by Syndrone (a Machine Drum alter-ego), obliterates the original to unrecognizable digital bits, a flex of the DSP-fuckery muscles perhaps either celebrating one’s independence or ceremoniously destroying a prominent reminder of a past relationship. Secede’s take on “Yo What Uh Yeh,” the only track exclusive to this release, is a sped-up light-hearted romp that could pass as the soundtrack to a children’s show (lyrical content notwithstanding). Vim’s remix of “Machine Drum” kicks off a very strong side B with a punchy break-heavy tune and continues the hamsterization of emcee samples started on the other side. Its bass, crunch, and pace would give any decent Bogdan Raczynski track a brisk sprint for its money.
The final two mixes mellow this release out with some laid back funk from the hands of Esem and another Stewart treatment. Esem’s version of “Half the Battle” is smoothly refreshing with a touch of brass while the dilapidated melodies of TStewart’s “Hello My Future” allude to the winding down of a late night drunken excursion. Hello so what does the future hold? Half the Battle 3 anyone?
Half the Battle 2 is out now on Merck.
