Mark Knight’s forthcoming remix for Basement Jaxx finds its origins in a time-tested DJ hotspot: Miami’s International Airport.
Plans for the track came together during a two-hour chat between the British artists after they arrived on the same flight from London.
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“We got chatting in the queue and they were telling me about their new album and the music they had on the cards for it,” says Knight. “I was immediately keen to get involved with a remix. I’ve always admired what they do and when they sent me the track the next day I knew immediately it was something I could sink my teeth into.”
Listen to the full premiere of the remix exclusively on Billboard CODE:
Sporting an infectious groove built on throwback drum sounds and resonant chord stabs, Knight’s upbeat remix incorporates stylistic cues from the past while retaining present dance floor relevancy.
“My approach was pretty simple,” says Knight. “I wanted to do something that sounded as close to the ’90s as possible, but with modern energy and production values. Musically, that soulful era is exactly where I came from. This was a great opportunity for me to take the parts I thought were really cool from the original, dust off the M1 and 909 and celebrate a sound that can still hold its corner in the modern market.”
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Known for his label-free musical philosophy, Knight’s remix heralds numerous other projects in the works, including his third “Bullets” EP, collaborations with Rene Amesz and Adrian Hour and a potential studio album debut taking shape this fall.
“What tends to preempt my approach is where I need a record to sit in my set,” says Knight. “These days I can be doing anything from a shorter festival slot to a seven-hour club session and, accordingly, I like to produce knowing where these tracks would fit in. Right from tech house to stadium house, versatility is essential to me.”
Mark Knight’s rework of “Never Say Never” will be available on June 2 through Toolroom Records.