Christian Prommer’s “Tryin’ Times” returns with a superb remix from Bristol producer Crackazat, who reshapes the original into a sophisticated late-night deep house groove.
Few producers bridge the worlds of jazz and electronic music as naturally as Christian Prommer. Whether through his work as a drummer, composer or producer, his catalogue has consistently blurred the boundaries between live musicianship and club culture. “Tryin’ Times”, taken from his recently released album “Rhythmique Nocturne”, is perhaps one of his most ambitious works to date, revisiting the spirit of Roberta Flack’s 1969 recording while recasting its message for a modern audience.
Rather than approaching the original as a straightforward cover, Prommer deconstructs and rebuilds it from the ground up. The familiar vocal is sympathetically reinterpreted by Justine Hoerwarth, while rich piano passages, live instrumentation and carefully layered percussion create a piece that feels equally at home in a jazz club or an intimate listening space. Its themes of uncertainty and unity remain just as relevant today as they were more than half a century ago.
Enter Crackazat.
The Bristol producer wisely resists the temptation to overcrowd the arrangement. Instead, he strips the composition back to its essential elements before rebuilding it around rolling drums, warm analogue basslines and beautifully understated piano loops. The result is effortlessly hypnotic.
Hoerwarth’s vocal drifts through the mix almost like another instrument, appearing and disappearing within the groove rather than dominating it. That restraint allows the production to breathe, creating an atmosphere that steadily pulls the listener deeper into its late-night mood.
There’s an unmistakable jazz influence running throughout, but Crackazat’s years refining his deep house sound ensure the record remains firmly dancefloor focused. The groove is patient, organic and beautifully measured, recalling the musical sophistication of New York’s underground house scene while maintaining a distinctly contemporary production aesthetic.
What makes the remix particularly effective is its understanding of space. Every piano phrase, bass note and percussion hit feels carefully placed, allowing subtle details to emerge with repeated listens rather than relying on obvious peaks or breakdowns.
As a companion piece to “Rhythmique Nocturne”, the remix offers a different perspective on Prommer’s original vision while preserving its emotional weight. It demonstrates how thoughtful remixing can reveal fresh dimensions within a composition rather than simply increasing its energy.
Elegant, immersive and quietly powerful, Crackazat has delivered another reminder of why he remains one of the most consistently inventive names in modern deep house, while Christian Prommer continues to prove that jazz, soul and electronic music remain natural partners when handled with imagination and respect.
Release Date: Out Now, get it here.
Label: Compost Records
Format: Digital