That tinge is actually the kind of sound I have been making as of late. I went back and listened to some of the Niteworx stuff recently and I went *whoah* this is right on the same level as some of my more recent tracks... I have a mix somewheres on my hard drive of me mixing that sorta stuff with my own, and I have to say they went together quite well. I'm totally into using strange, brainy (if you wanna call it that) sounds overtop of a driving beat.
If what you mean about the funky mastering is the heavy verb and strange overall eq, then I know what you mean... but it more likely is the artist's intention on it being that way. It kinda gives the tracks that eerie dark feel.
Yeah, it's not for everyone.. but I think over the progression of an entire set, it can definetly have its place within some of the more stompy, clubby stuff.
I'm a big fan of Damon Wild/Echoplex/Synewave :)

-Chris

PS. Here's one you guys may dig.. lemme know whatcha think. And excuse the couple pops.. needs a re-recording.
http://lfo.fsck.org/~chris/music/eck...tor_draft1.mp3