Juno Reactor – Navras Remixes (EP – Blue Room Sounds)
Genre/Influences: Cinematic, Trance, Electro, EBM.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Ben Watkins’ sonic brain child Juno Reactor doesn’t need any further introduction. “Navras” is a song he originally wrote together with Don Davis for the legendary “Matrix Revolutions” and released in 2004 on the “Labyrinth”-album. “Navras” has been now exposed to the remix skills of contemporary artists.
Content: The song has been remixed by Israelian producer Bliss, Slovenian DJ/producer Reaky Reakson and a mysterious, young UK producer System Of The Abyss. The remixes are moving from pure cinematic music without the original power and epic arrangements (Bliss) to a harder remix reminding the original (Reaky Reakson) to a harsher and aggressive remix with some EBM elements on top (System Of The Abyss).
+ + + : In an interview I made with Ben Watkins last year, he said “Navras” is the biggest song he ever wrote. It’s for sure one of the best tracks he has ever written. The original version with its heavy, powerful Epic arrangements still gives me goosebumps. This song hasn’t lost its original magic and serves as great inspiration for young composers. I’m totally convinced by the remix of Reaky Reakson featuring the essential elements of the original song. System Of The Abyss is an interesting project who accomplished a surprising remix driven by aggressive sequences. Ben Watkins revealed to me who’s hiding behind this project and I can tell you the legacy of Juno Reactor is guaranteed… I also like this EP being released by Blue Room Sounds, which resurrected out of Blue Room Released. That’s really great news!
– – – : I personally regret Ben Watkins didn’t remix “Navras” himself for this EP. The original song remains a brilliant piece of music, transforming the original Juno Reactor style into a Cinematic experience.
Conclusion: This EP sounds a bit like an ode to the genius of Juno Reactor and one of the project’s greatest tracks ever.
Best songs: “Navras – Reaky Reakson Remix”, “Navras – System Of The Abyss Remix”.
Rate: 8.
Listen to “Navras Remix E.P.”:
Artist: www.ben-watkins.com / www.facebook.com/junoreactorofficial
Label: www.blueroomsounds.com / www.facebook.com/BlueRoomSounds
About Juno Reactor
Juno Reactor is the project of British musician Ben Watkins, based in Brighton, United Kingdom. Watkins works with a changing ensemble of musicians from several countries, among them Mabi Thobejane, Amampondo, Steve Stevens, Eduardo Niebla, Greg Ellis, Taz Alexander, Sugizo and Budgie.
The album chronology runs from “Transmissions” (NovaMute, 1993) and “Luciana” (Inter-Modo, 1994) through “Beyond The Infinite” (Blue Room Released, 1 October 1995) and “Bible Of Dreams” (Blue Room Released, 1997) to “Shango” (Metropolis Records, 2000), “Labyrinth” (Metropolis Records / Universal Music, 2004), “Gods & Monsters” (Metropolis Records, 2008), “The Golden Sun Of The Great East” (Metropolis Records, April 2013) and “The Mutant Theatre” (Metropolis Records, 22 June 2018).
“Navras” was written by Watkins with Don Davis for the score of “The Matrix Revolutions” and appeared on “Labyrinth” in 2004. Blue Room Sounds issued the three-track “Navras Remix E.P.” on 28 January 2022, carrying the Bliss, Reaky Reakson and System Of The Abyss remixes. Side-Line spoke with Watkins in May 2021 for the ‘30 Years Of Journalism – Celebration Interview’ with Ben Watkins aka Juno Reactor.
Reaky Reakson returned to the catalogue in April 2026, when Juno Reactor released a remix of “Mona Lisa Overdrive”.
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
