Trey Risque’s Search The Nite, the most uptempo number on Parkway Records’ wonderful recent WPKY Jams label sampler (one of the top comps of the year), gets singled out for some solo 12” treatment. The release features a funky fresh Tapedup mix. This extended take riding a frenetic, flickering early `80s 808 rhythm, and jumping around like John “Jellybean” Benitez schooling the floor of NYC’s Funhouse. The bouncy, bright arrangement calls back to classic crossover hits such as Shannon’s Let The Music Play and Madonna’s Everybody. Opening with dramatic, colliding klaxon-like fanfares, it’s energetically edited, a la the legendary Latin Rascals, and packs powerful new drum programming around the OG’s locking and popping percussion. Razor Beats is a short, further edited, further shredded, DJ tool, that cuts up the vocal and melody to crazy effect, while throwing in some stuttering Fairlight-like tomfoolery. 

On the flip you’ll find a dynamite number named Desire. More `80s synth-pop flavoured, this is a proper proto-house groove that seems to take its cues from Vince Clarke. There are echoes of both early, exuberant Depeche Mode and FK’s phenomenal remix of Yazoo’s Situation. Little acidic squiggles and icy, symphonic keys synergising with a saucy French vocal. 

The Hearts Burn mix is a very different dance floor deconstruction. Its cowbell and bass riff paying homage to Lipps Inc.’s Funky Town, via early (the earliest?) Chicago house sides like Mach’s On & On. A very polished piece of slightly camp, Europhile jack, there’s also a touch of Frankie / ZTT, especially in the breakdowns. Both versions deserve to be huge. 

Trey Risque’s Desire / Search The Nite is released today on Parkway Records.