REVIEW
Since the first release of 'The Way Freak' on blue vinyl, it has been a highly sought after track and it's new release on Red Rose Recordings gives those still left wanting a new opportunity to add it to their collection. The latest version of the track features both the original version and the Steve Gurley Dub to play with and is quality piece of production showing the true diversity of UK Garage as a genre, combining elements of both R&B and classic US/UK Garage. The original mix of the track performed and produced by Kartik himself, is a mellow R&B influenced affair. It begins with a simple two-step drum pattern leading into a melodious harp-like intro, overlaid with an underwater style effect to create a dream-like feel. This gives a sense of continual progression as the tune breaks into a simple, bouncing sub-bassline over which Kartik's vocals flow smoothly and effortlessly. The fact that the beat and bassline are not over-complicated, allows the vocals to take the emphasis, and show the proficiency of Kartik's abilities as a singer and songwriter. The finished product also shows considerable ability and a good sense of taste in the studio, and he deserves full credit for having produced such a polished debut offering as a solo artist. While the original version of 'The Way We Freak' can be considered almost cross-genre with it's R&B roots, Steve Gurley's so-called 'Rub-a-Dub' brings the track straight into UK Garage. Steve Gurley is one of the most well respected producers on the scene, and is one of the true pioneers in creating the UK sound, with his early work with Robbie Craig such as 'Lessons In Love' and 'Goodbye' standing the test of time as real classic materiel. As per usual, the Gurley style is more than evident with top-quality production centred around strong beats and a catchy bassline. The beats in this case sound like a combination of 'Spirit Of The Sun' and the Groove Chronicles' track '99', while the bassline has a sound slightly reminiscent of Wookie. As might be suggested by the word 'dub', 'Kartik's' vocals are kept to a bare minimum, only appearing in snippets here and there, and leaving the emphasis on the afore-mentioned beats and bassline. It is these two main elements that combine to create a dirty dub that is the perfect foil to the smoothness of the original.
Overall : I like this track and have been waiting for one of the bigger labels to pick it up, since for a change I missed out on the original blue vinyl. It is a really tasteful piece of modern UK Garage and releasing to a wider audience will help to show that there is a wealth of talent on the scene. Tracks such as this are great ambassadors for Garage and represent it's true potential, and can only consolidate the niche that MJ Cole, Wookie and co. are beginning to create, and possibly erase the all-too-common opinion that 'Casualty', 'I Don't Smoke The Reefa' etc are characteristic of Garage in general. In a nutshell - two quality tracks and two quality producers. Another good thing about this release is the fact that the original and dub versions of the tune are very different, giving the tune a wider appeal, and making it possible to include it in two totally different types of set - the original for a vocal set, and the dub to throw into a more dark, bassy set.