Customer Reviews

Missing

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ben Watt and Tracy Thorn probably would have stayed their course in cultland had it not been for Todd Terry. But what he did to "Missing" should be a required lesson for all remixers; Find the heart of the song and work out from there. His mix of "Missing" did exactly that. Tracy Thorn's emotional vocal is enhanced by the textures that Terry added to the song, allowing for substantial feel from the original to remain, thus sacrificing nothing from EBTG's basic song. This was lightning captured in a bottle, and one of the best singles to emerge from the nineties.

The purest example of why this worked for Todd Terry and why - more often than not - it just sounds like dorks with computers and synths, one needs to simply compare Terry's mix to the hacknyed "Chris and James full on club mix," where every imaginable club cliche is force fed into the version they added to this single, or the "Ultramarine Mix" completely misses the song's emotional core. Get "Missing" for the sublime TT mix and just ignore the rest of them.

I to would have to say this song was a standout for EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL during
the mid 90's. Its got more than your usual (emotion) to lead the track along
and the really tasteful remixes give this song some extra, this took this group well beyond
what was there. Music lovers and those in the clubs got a taste
of an excellent band ready to evolve. Many of us new they were special. This still sounds as good today
as ever. With dance/club music busting out and the likes of Donna
Summer and Blondie coming back out with some really interesting
music it would be nice for EBTG to get back in the studio and
show em how to do it right!

And I mean it with the title. Everything But The Girl's 1994 remix of "Missing" (originally from the duo's 1994 album "Amplified Heart") is one of the best dance tracks I've ever heard. I'm not a dance music man but the famed Todd Terry remix is just stunning. With it's subtle dance beat and Tracy Thorn's emotive, sadist voice (reminisict of Sade's), "Missing" has something that most dance music doesn't have: EMOTION. The song actually sounds lonely and spare. The song just englufs you. The original version of "Missing" is very sedate and passive yet still packs the same subtle emotional wallop of Terry's remix. Even if you hate dance music, "Missing" will left you an imprint on you. This is how good music should sound.

The track that blew up Everything But the Girl: MISSING. And it's a beautiful track that had the misfortune to be completely played out. But it's still a turning point both in EBTG's career and on the club scene. Todd Terry's Mix is the one that drew all the attention, and Chris and James deliver an fine, if unremarkable, club mix that pushes a little more energy, but on this remix EP, there are a few surprises too. Ultramarine craft a mellow mix around some warm electronics and that unmistakable acoustic guitar line--a much different feel from what we're used to--and Little Joey emphasizes the inherent sadness in the track, reversing the vocal track until it almost sounds like a dirge. So even if you never want to hear the track again, these other mixes might just change your mind.

It's a great song worthy of remixes. Besides the 6 listed tracks, my copy has a 7th track which seems to be the backing drum track without vocals (duration 2:47). This could probably be useful for a DJ mixing or just finding some background beats while you talk in between songs.

I love this song. It makes me miss the 1990s.
1. Todd Terry Club Mix (Blanco/Eternal Radio) [3:56, 9/10]: The full mix is only 1:02 longer, so why bother with the edit?
2. Todd Terry Club Mix [4:58, 10/10]: The definitive version of "Missing". Could have been a bit longer, though.
3. Rockin' Blue Mix [7:49, 8/10]: Okay. However, it pales in comparison to Todd's remix.
4. Chris & James Full On Club Mix [8:36, 8/10]: Cliched and a bit boring.
5. Album Mix [4:05, 10/10]: GAWGEOUS!!! You can't go wrong with the album version!
6. Tee's Piece [4:33, 10/10]: An instrumental of the club mix. Quite lovely in its simplicity.

If you are a true eletronica listener this has to be in your collection