In 2005, UMG released two volumes of something called "Motown Remixed." The industry's top hip-hop producers and DJs were asked to reimagine the original hits of the 60s and 70s and hopefully breathe new life into songs that, in my opinion, already had enough life to last...well...a lifetime.
It wasn't terrible, actually. Z-Trip strips down The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" and let's us hear just what the guitar and bass were playing before he kicks in with a jammier drum beat. The Tranzition remix of The Supremes' "My World Is Empty Without You" doesn't work as well, as he (or is it "they?") slow the groove down into a trance-like ballad that could almost work as a love theme from some 70s blaxploitation film. Interesting, but the original kicks more ass.
The gem though, is Questlove's take on Gladys Knight & The Pips' "I Heard It Through The Grapevine." Let me go on record as saying, this groove is BAD! This is funk, dirty funk, hot funk. You want the funk? Gotta have that funk? Just wait until Questlove's sublime bash at 1:12.
Don't move. I dare you.
GRAPEVINE (Remix)
9 comments:
I've never been a big fan of Motown remixes--for the exact reasons you've already stated--but that wasn't too shabby at all. One of my very favorite remixes is the CCC mashup of "I Want You Back"/"Isn't It A Pity"--two songs you'd never think would mesh at all, but actually fit surprisingly well.
Where might one find this CCC mashup?
I have it here somewhere...but not on my HD, unfortunately. I'll send it to you once I find it.
Couldn't find the MP3, but I did come across this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbayjIcsrQM
yep. This stuff rarely works, but here is the exception. Love it.
WOW! I love that, Steve.
you posted this once before, didn't you? i *love* it!
Oops. Yeah...a Weekend Mix from November 2009. I'm slippin'...
I approached this with the usual skepticism but It works really well. It's on the rotation.
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