Blasterjaxx & Zafrir – Zurna (Dimatik Remix)

74%%Overall Score

• Hammering kick enforcing a brutal aura
• Exotic vibe kept intact
• Higher dynamism, thanks to Dimatik’s experience

When Deva guest reviewed the “IV EP” from the Dutch duo Blasterjaxx, the unmentioned vocal of Zafrir’s collaboration came as a surprise to me. If there’s a recurring detail from his catalogue, it’s that he always manages to score interesting ethnic vocals. And in “Zurna”, there’s no exception.

It’s from this specific chorus that the Australian Dimatik commenced his own rework, and a few months later we can finally talk about it. The most notable aspect in this adaptation of “Zurna” is its initial schema, with inclusion of a faster pacing and a thumping kick-drum denoting heavy Hardstyle influence.

If it comes to the main host of the production, the kick is admirable. It adds a full-bodied and stronger tone to the psychedelic structure, which felt slightly weaker in the prototype; the trio called in the expert here undoubtedly, since Dimatik is notorious for his robust Psytrance trademark. The outcome may please the most hardcore fans of Maxximize, while also appealing to those who appreciate the styles it derives from mostly: Psy and Hardstyle, a win-win situation. Sure, the choice of leaving the blueprint intact during the break sequence is often associated with laziness in my reviews, in this case however, the result has a curious harmony attesting to why the drop has been “boosted” on this occasion.

In a remix pack with a fewer intriguing ideas (from talented names such as Wildvibes, Jeffrey Sutorius and Dr Phunk), Dimatik stands out with this crafty edit. Recommending the EP is of course in my general intentions, yet my first preference is sizably seized by the revamped edition of “Zurna”.

You can listen to “Zurna (Dimatik Remix)” here: