Pioneering label Crosstown Rebels celebrate their fifteenth year with their monumental 200th release. And to honour this seminal moment for the label, American DJ and producer Arthur Baker reunites with Rockers Revenge for the first time in thirty years. To complete the package, dance music heavyweights Francois K and Michael Mayer take on remix duties.

On A Mission is exactly that, “a mission of love, a mission of peace”. The positive vocals hark back to those of early 90s house tracks, which created unity through music and clubbing. The rhythmic beat of the drum is determined, as percussive layers build and the vocals bleed into the synths. Francois K provides two variations of the track. His remix features more prominent drum beats driven by a growling bassline. On his rockers dub version, the bass is pulsating complimented by otherworldly synths. Our favourite cut in the package though is the Michael Mayer remix – a calmer take on the original with gentler synths and a whirring, throbbing bassline. A truly credible rework.

“To be able to reconnect and rekindle the special collaborative connection I had with rockers revenge after a 30 year hiatus has been a incredibly inspiring experience. The song conveys that peace and love can still be obtained through music.” Arthur Baker

Created in 1982, Rockers Revenge was the brainchild of Arthur Baker and Donnie Calvin. Donnie provided lead vocals with Baker’s wife, Tina B, Dwight Hawkes and Adrienne Dupree Johnson on backing vocals. Their most prominent track, Walking On Sunshine, was a post-disco hit reaching #1 in the US dance charts and #4 in the UK charts.

Three years ago Baker and Hawkes reconnected through social media with Baker sending through his original Mission idea. Baker is known for his work with hip hop artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Planet Patrol, and New Order whilst also remixing the Pet Shop Boys’ 1986 hit In The Night. Fast forward to 2018 and the group performed a monumental live show at Get Lost Miami, and are currently in the studio working on new material. This Summer they will shoot a new documentary and perform live at various events.

Buy the release on Beatport