This past weekend was one for the ages, for good and bad. Billie Eilish swept the four major Grammy categories and became the youngest in doing so. Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Gary Clark Jr. received deserved honors. And there were plenty of fantastic performances. However, the night’s festivities were shrouded in controversy with Deborah Dugan levying heavy accusations against the Academy and zero resolution on the horizon.
But before the award show could push aside its issues for a night and take center stage, we learned of the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others who were tragically killed in a helicopter crash. Kobe’s impact was felt not only in sports but across a multitude of industries, including a special performance at the Grammy’s, and from fans that expanded the globe. He will be missed by many.
I apologize for kicking off this week’s Remix Radar with a somber tone, but I felt it was necessary to not ignore what has transpired this weekend and in-lead up to the Grammy’s. Hopefully, the following remixes can help distract those affected and serve as a moment of enjoyment.
NoMBe – Paint California (Klingande Remix)
Klingande provides a club-friendly remix of NoMBe’s “Paint California”. It’s a very danceable tune. The beat hits just right. The synths fill the emptiness and keep listeners intoxicated right until the end.
Catching Flies – Silver Linings (DJ Seinfeld’s Drum Dream Remix)
With an emphasis on the drum programming, DJ Seinfeld remixes Catching Flies into an aptly titled “drum dream”. “Silver Linings” loses a bit of the emotionally charged sound design, but gains a puncturing house vibe that will be perfect for clubs coated in 4 am grime.
SLATIN – 5PM (King Arthur Edit)
King Arthur holds back on radically changing SLATIN’s sizzling “5PM”. He does add some extra layers of sound and distortion that add a nice wrinkle to the tune. I can easily see this edit make quite a few appearances in darker and bassy-er house sets.
CamelPhat Ft. Jem Cooke – Rabbit Hole (Bontan Remix)
I really enjoy what Bontan did with his remix of the highly successful “Rabbit Hole”. It retains the soul of the original by CamelPhat and Jem Cooke, while providing a new and interesting take that gives listeners something else to rattle around in their brain.
MK & Sonny Fodera Ft. Raphaella – One Night (Nightlapse Remix)
To conclude the remix pack of “One Night”, we were graced with an absolute banger from Nightlapse. This one is easily the best of the group and deserves the recognition.
Oliver Dollar Ft. Daniel Steinberg – Testified (Scan 7 The Way Of 7 Mix)
Oliver Dollar has a legend of dance music, Scan 7, spin a filthy remix of “Testified”, in part of the launch. It’s smooth and groovy. Exactly how I want my scotch.
Steff da Campo – In & Out Of My Life (Jake Tarry Remix)
The remix of Steff da Campo’s “In & Out Of My Life” isn’t something drastic. Jake Tarry’s editions boil down to speeding it up, adding a different breakdown, and a house-like thump prodding the brainstem. Safe to say, it works really well.
DJ S.K.T & Youngman – Certi (Move Your Body) [Jack Junior Remix]
The original version by DJ S.K.T and Youngman utilizes a sample from the uber-famous “Move Your Body”, which becomes a major element of the track. Jack Junior’s remix deemphasizes the sample and brings together a track that deserves merit for its own elements.
Lemelle – You Got Something Special (KON Edit)
Lemelle’s “You Got Something Special” was originally released in 1982 where it became an obscure boogie that became a favorite of in-the-know DJs. It was recently reissued by Glitterbox who also packaged it with two remixes, one from KON and the other from Dr. Packer. Both remixes are quality in their own rights. Personally, I prefer KON’s edit with the punchier dubbing.
Gemini 529 – Scream & Shout (Paskal Daze Remix)
Nestled amongst their recent release, Gemini 529’s “Scream & Shout” receives a groovy remix from Paskal Daze. It has charming energy and soul that is reminiscent of the original purveyors of house music.
Ledo – Still Waiting (Chris Farish Remix)
This Chris Farish remix is the type of dance music you want to listen to for emotional connectivity. The kind that pulsates through the blood vessels and bones and makes you want to hold on to a loved one.
Gaveline – Léa (Carpe Solem Remix)
Similar to the previous track, Carpe Solem’s remix is an expansive emotionally-driven dance tune. It hits the eardrums and reverberates through the body to truly send listeners on a sonic journey.
Patrick Topping & Kevin Saunderson – Frisk (Justin Cholewski Remix)
An acid-infused remix transforms “Frisk” into something more ravenous and wild. Justin Cholewski continues to build a nice discography that will see his name become a common sight for years to come.
ONE FROM THE VAULT
The Killers – When You Were Young (Calvin Harris Remix)
With Calvin Harris releasing his new songs and new monicker, I felt it would be fitting to close this Remix Radar with one of his remixes. I originally sought to find a Calvin remix from ages ago, but couldn’t find it. So I settled for an underrated gem. Calvin’s remix of The Killers’ “When You Were Young”. After all these years, it still elicits an emotional response from me.
