Tune #84: Lambda - Hold On Tight

When in hard times, there is no other option than to hold on tight...

LAMBDA - HOLD ON TIGHT (ORIGINAL MIX)


RED was a short-lived electronic music label (1995 - 1999) based in Netherlands. A funny thing about this label was the formula used for the aliases of the signed artists: the letters of the Greek alphabet! 

The Greek letters were distributed among the following producers:
- Letters α, ζ, μ, ξ, π, ρ, τ, υ, φ and ψ were occupied by Vincent Kriek (I can only assume that Vincent is the founder of the label, using the most letters!).
- Letters β, γ, δ, κ, σ, ο and χ were reserved by Dutch versatile artist Alex Dijksterhuis, mostly known for his pseudonym Jamez.
- Georgio Schultz used letter ε.
- René ter Horst (better known through his collaborations with his partner in crime Gaston Steenkist) used letter η.
- Theta (θ) release was actually Sonic Evolution - Electron (it seems that Oliver Wischerath deviated from the strict naming).
- Letter ν is missing in the Discogs database, so no information is currently available.
- The remaining letters ι, λ and ω were given to today's artist Edwin Keur.

Influenced by the electronic dance music of the early eighties (hip hop/electro-boogie/swingbeat), Edwin Keur created with the help of his friends an illegal radio station at the end of the same decade. At the same time, he got acquainted with Olav Basoski and Georgio Schultz. In the early 90's the radio station got busted, so Edwin and his friends performed a new program via a legal radio station, at which he met René ter Horst and Gaston Steenkist. In the meantime, he expressed interest in writing his own compositions, so he bought some equipment in order to produce the first tracks.

Hold On Tight was written in 1995 by Edwin as Lambda (λ) and it is undoubtedly the most successful release of RED (1996). Having more than 30 releases in Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France, UK, Belgium, Spain and Australia and featured in many compilations & mixes, it is widely considered a club classic.

The original version has a dark and cold feel, just like it was generated in a factory! Additionally, it samples the vocals of Martha Walsh from her song Give It Back To Me. There are many remixes of the track, but the most prominent reprise belongs to the trance masters of that era, Nalin & Kane (1997)!

LAMBDA - HOLD ON TIGHT (NALIN & KANE REMIX)


The dark atmosphere is still present in this version. The track slowly builds with a intro which underlies the storm to follow. Finally, the energy is released by the outro synth which transforms the record to a club dynamite!

Nowadays, Edwin Keur seems to be inactive in terms of music production, but he occasionally DJs in events held in Netherlands. However, Hold On Tight is still remembered by the club community for its energy!