Hear No Evil

Notorious B.I.G. - Going Back To Cali (Viceroy “Jet Life” Remix)

What is it about modern BIG remixes and mashups that work so well?  I’ll be honest, I wasn’t into the 90s rap scene, so I don’t have any context into what was going on then - Tim would be more articulate about that.  All I know, is that I love these mixes. 

This one in particular, seems perfectly matched with the lyrics.  It’s a brazen 80s synth cheesefest mixed in with some caribbean steel drums that scream LA fun in the hot Cali sun.

“Spend about a week sittin’ on Venice Beach sippin’ Crist-o with some freaks from Frisco”

posted by skorch

posted by skorch

Angus And Julia Stone - Big Jet Plane (Stern* Disco Remix)

A super duper chill and groovy remix.  Put on some nice headphones, crank up the volume and relax.

posted by skorch

Mr. Little Jeans – The Suburbs (Cry Wolf Dubstep Remix)

Dont’ let the dubstep scare you.  You could classify this as post-dubstep if you wanted to get overly technical.  This remix is fantastic.  Originally a cover of Arcade Fire’s track, it was a cool, chill and spacey tune.  This remix keeps all of the elements that made the cover enjoyable, but then layers on some dubstep creepiness to it all.

posted by skorch

Nine Inch Nails - Perfect Drug (Jonah Sharp Remix)

At work we’ve started having playlist competitions in order to get our internal staff to use our product more.  Naturally I won the first competition :).  The next competition is a Halloween themed playlist.  One of the spookiest sources of music I could think of was the Lost Highway soundtrack.  On that soundtrack was some amazing original pieces by the likes of Trent Reznor (one of his first “solo” tracks?), Ramstein, Marylin Manson, Smashing Pumpkins, Lou Reed, David Bowie - this soundtrack is simply fantastic.  Of course, the standout single from the album was Nine Inch Nails’ “Perfect Drug”.

I was big into Nine Inch Nails back then.  I had just about every “Halo” I could find.  I naturally picked up the Perfect Drug remix single.  I haven’t thought about it in a long time, but there were some great tracks.  I accidentally came across this track just now, and I always thought it was the best.  I loved how Jonah Sharp turned it into a sort-of lounge, deep house DJ mix.  It flew in the face of the original and stands out on its own.

posted by skorch

Lana Del Rey - Video Games (Jamie Woon Remix)

Wicked remix! Dark and funky.

posted by skorch

Trentemøller – Sycamore Feeling (Gui Boratto Remix)

posted by skorch

Daft Punk - Around the World (Kid Dub Remix)

Killer remix of a fantastic song.

posted by skorch

Daft Punk - Derezzed (Robotaki Remix)

I didn’t like the original when it was released.  I didn’t like most of the remixes.  I’m of the mindset that Daft Punk has gotten worse with age.  Their first album, Homework, was and is my favorite techno album of all time.  I just expect more from the duo. Having said that, this remix is fantastic!  It makes me want to go back and revisit my original disapproval of the original.

posted by skorch

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Be Easy (Daktal Remix)

Funky, groovy, chill remix of a modern motown-style track.  The original (link below) is badass as well and definitely worth a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq3rrmnzahc

When I find a track that is note-worthy, I like to dig into its roots.  There’s usually something interesting to uncover.  In this example, a modern soul/funk recording lead me to a revivalist movement to resurrect the 70s funk sound - something I can fully support.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Jones_&_The_Dap-Kings

posted by skorch