4 out of 5

Label: WéMè Records

Produced by: ?

Though it’s possible I’ve just gotten more used to the many faces of Gerald Donald through WéMè’s various releases, this second compilation of rare remixes from the Mueller pseudonym (and others) feels much more focused and purposeful than the first set.

Gathering together 13 cuts from across the 00s and 2010s, the 2xLP set bounces back and forth between old school electro, stuff approaching more “typical” Drexciya futurism, some grime, and some rather housey tracks. Though not all of these remixes are actually attributed to the Mueller name, I think housing them under that makes sense: despite the subgenre variations, there’s an underlying sense of precision and repetition – and mathematic ness to the compositions – that feels very fitting for that persona, even if all the base tracks obviously belong to others.

Regarding which: I can’t speak to how much Donald may have deviated from the original material, but even with a handful of different vocalists, it all does tonally fit under one identity; again, this compilation just comes across as more thoughtful in general, down to the way that each side kind of feels like a mini capsule of a certain style, and the A- through D-side flow plays with that too, going from a relatively light vibe to funkier and moodier beats, with the D-side almost oppressively monotonous.

If I was going to take issue with anything, it’d be that: the downside to grouping like-styles together is that the C- and D-side, and moreso the latter, work with unchanging, repetitious house beats quite a bit. These are clubbier tunes, that provide some pretty chilly, dark sounds I dig, but on their own terms I’d wish for a bit more variation.

However, this is still a mighty showcase for the many moods of Donald / Mueller, and it’s worth bearing in mind that… I’m not a huge fan of their work in general! So winning me over in the first place is notable, and any criticisms I might have are maybe just my ignorance of the brilliance of whichever subgenre Donald is working in that day.