Italy’s Clif Jack has carved a distinctive path in the techno landscape, blending sharp grooves and deep atmospheres to captivate audiences worldwide.
Photo credit: Giada Sansonetto
Known for chart-topping releases on Filth on Acid, JAM, and Codex, he also heads his own MJA the Vision label, supporting new talent and merging techno with digital art.
Now, he steps into the spotlight again with his reimagined version of Mauro Picotto’s 2000 classic ‘Komodo (Save A Soul)’, released via Armada Music as part of the ‘Claxixx’ series.
In this conversation, Clif Jack opens up about the creative journey behind his rework, the emotional connection to the original, and the challenges of navigating today’s fast-paced music scene.
EG: Hi, Clif! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Clif Jack: Hi! Thanks so much for having me, it’s truly a pleasure. I’m doing great. Right now, I’m in Padova, my hometown in Italy. I’m currently recharging after a few intense weeks in the studio, and I can’t wait for summer to start!
EG: First of all, congratulations on releasing your official rework of Mauro Picotto’s seminal classic ‘Komodo (Save A Soul)’! You must be stoked to finally have this one out. What has the initial reception been like so far?
Clif Jack: Thank you! It’s been a beautiful surprise. This track has influenced so many people over the years, myself included! I still remember my teenage years, listening to it in the car when driving on road trips with my father. I’ve already received a lot of private messages from people showing their support, it’s been very emotional, and a real privilege.
EG: So, how did this opportunity come about? What was the creative process for this one like?
Clif Jack: It all started during a chat in my studio with Mauro Ferrucci, who is a producer and DJ that’s a close friend of Picotto. We ended up talking about ‘Komodo (Save A Soul)’, and he said, “Shall I ask Mauro if you could do a rework?”. Of course, I said yes, and he called Mauro Picotto right away, then to my excitement, I got sent the original parts and vocals!
I added my own touch with a new acid line, and reworked the vocal breakdown to increase suspense. I approached it like a journey, always keeping the soul of the original track intact. Mauro loved it, and together we presented it to Armada Music, who are releasing it as a collaboration between me and Mauro Picotto. It’s my first time working with Armada, which is also very exciting for me.
EG: Going back, do you remember the first time you heard Mauro Picotto’s original version? What does it mean to you to be able to put your stamp on such an iconic piece?
Clif Jack: Absolutely. It’s one of those tracks that stays with you and helped define an era. Reworking it was a real honour, but also a big responsibility. My goal was to give it new life, while preserving the magic of the melody and vocal. My version is intended to offer something meaningful to a new generation of clubbers who might be discovering this classic for the first time.
“Music isn’t a race”
EG: Were you ever skeptical or hesitant at any point before agreeing to move forward with your remix?
Clif Jack: Not sceptical, but definitely aware of the responsibility. It’s a true classic, and I knew I had to approach it with respect and avoid anything that felt forced. It had to be heartfelt, not just another remix.
EG: And what would you like for listeners to take away from this updated version?
Clif Jack: I hope they can feel the same emotion I felt when I first heard the original in 2000, but in a modern form. My version is designed to work on both big stages and intimate clubs. I want listeners to connect emotionally and get completely lost in the groove.
EG: Discussing a broader picture… what do you see as the biggest challenge for artists in the near future?
Clif Jack: The pace of everything today is crazy. There’s constant pressure to release new music, and stay active on socials, but music isn’t a race. It’s about passion first and foremost. Artists need mental and emotional space to create their best work. The real challenge is learning when to accelerate and when to slow down. We have to stay true to ourselves, and say no to things that don’t reflect our vision.
EG: How do you feel about the massive integration of AI in electronic dance music? What does that future look like to you? Has any form of AI been implemented on this new reinterpretation?
Clif Jack: AI is a powerful tool, and it can definitely be useful, especially for speeding up technical tasks like audio cleaning or organising ideas. But true creativity comes from emotion, instinct, and experience. For Komodo, I didn’t use any AI, as I crafted it fully with my Roland TB-3, and my own ideas. Let’s not forget: we’re still dancing to tracks made decades ago with very limited gear. In the end, what matters most, is a well-executed good idea.
“The real challenge is learning when to accelerate and when to slow down”
EG: Looking forward, what can we expect from Clif Jack? Where can your fans catch you next? What are your next scheduled shows?
Clif Jack: A lot of new things are coming! I’m finishing up some new releases, one will be out soon on Dubfire’s record label SCI+TEC, and I have other music coming via my own imprint MJA the Vision.
I also have some DJ shows coming up, as I’m playing May 25 at the Open Your Mind Festival in France, May 31 with Cristina Lazic in my hometown Padova, and June 8 at Techno Dampfer in Düsseldorf.
Also, I’ve recently become Creative Director in a new streaming platform called IAM.DJ, which we be launching in October 2025. I can’t share too much about that yet, but it’s focused on supporting music, empowering artists, and doing good for the environment. I look forward to revealing more soon!
EG: Thank you so much for your time! We wish you all the best in the future. Take care!
Clif Jack: Thank you! It’s been a real pleasure. Big love to everyone supporting the music. Think. Believe. Dream. Rave!
Clif Jack’s ‘Komodo (Save A Soul)’ is out now on Armada Music. Stream and download here.
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