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The original rendition, found on Hunter's second Sparrow Records longplayer, Life, finds Hunter up to his usual trance* tricks, drawing influence for his mesmerizing synth lines from sources varied as Giorgio Moroder and Darude, with breakbeats both in the traditional soul/disco framework and more marital percussion. A radio edit lops off some of the variety, and a dub version is really an instrumental, but melody and production are sufficient for that not to be problematic.

Cedric Gervais' set of vocal, radio edit and dub mixes work about half as well as Hunter's originals, with a buzzy, persistent tech-house vibe that doesn't gel quite as well with Hunter's voice and those of the gal providing the hook and nonsense syllable singing.

Hunter's own remix, also given a radio edit and dub version, relies mostly on percussion and airy whooshes of sound. That minimalism provides ear catching, body motivating contrast to Hunter's  arch, almost goth-ish vocals and his more chipper distaff accomplice.

Lyrics sound to be about half sung to God and half to fellow believers. Couplets about being addicted to the Lord never sit well with me (salvation may be born of similar desperation, but the accompanying joy and need go further than a fix of any drug), which Hunter broaches here, but the line about new wine flowing through his veins is about as poetic as a Psalm. 

Though its Billboard  listing showed it as a Sparrow release, the CD maxi-single sent to me bears only the EMI logo. If all nine mixes are available on vinyl, they must surely comprise a two or three 12-inch singles. Maybe the Sparrow logo shows up there?

Regardless, "To Life.." is to find  favor with those who already enjoy Hunter's previous Sparorw and Nettwerk releasees and anyone enamored of imaginative trance. If there are no dance speciality record shops within driving distance from  you, check legal download sources for this gem.

Jamie Lee Rake 

*-Neophytes to electronic dance music, you need not fear that "trance" refers to an ungodly state of altered consciousness. The word merely describes a musical style wherein fuzzy, sleek programmed synthesizer tones repeat themselves in short and/or long jabs to create a "trancey" effect. In the same way, Jeff Johnson and Moya Brennen may make music described as "new age," but neither thinks s/he's a god nor believes in the hangs-a-rounds Sedona waiting for the next harmonic convergence. It's just the name of the music.