The Best Remixes of the Pet Shop Boys Part Two. The 90's

THE BEST PSB REMIXES. PART TWO 1990'S

The life of this blog began with an article of the finest PSB remixes from the 1980's. A decade where the remix began to have its own place within the music industry as a force to be reckoned with. With remix artists appearing as DJ's from the club scenes of New York and Miami for example, the remix soon began to influence potential hit singles.

By the 1990's the club scene had arrived en masse around the globe, particularly in the U.K and Europe. It was during this period that remixes were taken very seriously by DJ's and the industry alike. People like David Morales, Paul Oakenfold and Sasha would start to command huge fees in remix duties for Pop stars and other acts who would otherwise not get their music heard in a night club or a rave party. 

But the Pet Shop Boys were always on the cutting edge of club culture, and had from the very start produced Dance music, so it is of no surprise that this pattern would continue and still does as of today with the groups current works. So below are what Muzebitez consider the groups finest remixes from the hedonistic 1990's.

IT MUST BE OBVIOUS THE KLF REMIX 1990

Talking about club remixes, this one however was remixed by the legendary KLF who had for a few years prior to this remix released an endless amount of unusual but highly successful records. This 1990 remix though coincided with their chill out album and is a sound collage of bizarre field recordings and sound fx all chopped up and twisted and pulled together with the PSB B-side of So Hard added into the blend. It is almost like listening to a radio playing the song in the distance as though some sort of confused war zone was playing out in the background. Unusual but amazing concept. 

WE ALL FEEL BETTER IN THE DARK BROS IN RHYTHM AMBIENT REMIX 1990

It was a tough decision to pick from the two versions of this track. The after hours remix is a cool laid back dance vibe that is a perfect chill out tune. This version however which is more instrumental and has had the drums completely removed, gives it a more atmospheric flavour. The jazz guitars which were performed by the late J.J Belle who was the groups live guitarist for their 1991 performance tour and here he plays some seriously cool licks throughout on top of those smooth synth pads amidst the sexual groaning of the female vocalist leaves a lot for the imagination. The removal of Lowe's vocal is a shame but it still doesn't take away its greatness as a classic chill out track.

DJ CULTURE THE GRID REMIX 1991

Quite possibly one of their finest songs. The tongue in cheek message blending politics with dance music is something only the PSB can do. This remix by the Grid wasn't much different to the original except with added strings and slower tempos. A fine work though never the less, by a group who would have big success themselves in the early part of the decade. 

WEST END GIRLS THE SASHA REMIX 1993

O.K this is their 80s hit but during 1993 club land remixes were common place with major pop acts and during this era D.J Sasha was the biggest name in the U.K House music scene. When I first heard this I was blown away, he took a song that didn't need any added work applying to it, but he changed Neil,s vocals to sound like hes talking down a telephone and added some cool piano riffs throughout and then as the chorus arrives, the vocal is delivered in its full glory. This remix proved that a great record can be altered in a new way and be given a new lease of life. The whole vibe of the remix is just classic Sasha at that time in his career. He pays full respect to the track whilst also adding his unique touch.

YOUNG OFFENDER JAM & SPOON REMIX 1994

Another iconic remix team from the 90's. Jam & Spoon put this remix out on a double pack 12" in 1994 and what a remix it is too. Very dreamy and trance driven as was their style. It takes 3 minutes for Neil's vocals to appear but the driving breakbeats and lush pads keep taking it to the next level. Jam & Spoon always had a special way of producing and the PSB were a perfect group for them to work with. 

SE A VIDA E PINK NOISE REMIX 1996

Taking the tempo down from the last choice in the list, the Pink Noise remix of Se A Vide E is a perfect time capsule from that era in music. The club scene flourished, but in classic PSB style they go against the grain slightly by having a Trip Hop styled version of this track done. A perfect Summer anthem that you can listen to by the pool. Very trippy and dreamy and then goes off into a Hip Hop groove with the middle 8 section which is a nice twist by Pink noise. who has done many other remix works for big artists throughout his career. 

SOMEWHERE ORCHESTRAL VERSION 1997

This may not be a remix as such but I felt it deserves its place in this list as it showed the group to be versatile in their different versions of pop songs. The song that was the theme for the groups Savoy theatre shows during the Summer of 1997. This could have easily been added onto the original score of West Side Story its that good. Full of dramatic strings and also has a modern recording technique with Neil's vocals being  processed slightly with a vocoder which is a robotic voice effect. 

I DONT KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. DAVID MORALES CLUB REMIX 1999

The end of the 90's brought us the PSB album that was full of dance anthems and sublime ballads. This remix was of course done by David Morales who has a long history with the group. This remix is a smooth blippy club track that fits Neil's vocals perfectly. It has that early 90's sound which is unusual seeing as though it was made in 1999. Never the less Morales has done it justice with his classic signature sound. A fine remix to end the decade with.

NEW YORK  CITY BOY THE LANGE REMIX 1999

Now it wouldn't be the 90's without a euphoric Trance remix of the boys. This Lange remix was released at the peak of the late 90's Trance explosion in the U.K, and perfectly captures that defining sound. This remix is very much influenced by the Ferry Corsten's remix of William Orbits version of Samuel Barbers Classical masterpiece Adagio for strings, which also came out that year. The best way to end the PSB 90's decade of remixes is to go out with a bang and this remix does that just right.