Do You Remember The Time

Monday, July 13th, 2009 >> Blog
Written by Dani Deahl

I’m finally getting around to all the fantastic music people have been sending me and just to make it not so overwhelming I’m going to break it up into groupings over the next day or so. You knew it was coming… I’ve gotten a few great Michael Jackson remixes since his passing and I thought I would put them in one post for you. I totally remember watching the “Thriller” video for the first time, playing around with all of the MJ vinyl my parents had and of course, trying to do the moonwalk with my brother. It still seems surreal that he’s gone – and despite weighing out the bad along with the good he was still incredibly iconic – a monumental performer.

Don Diablo, who normally sends over very hard hitting and minimal tunes, surprised me with this remix of “Do You Remember The Time.” At a markedly slower tempo, the remix is beautifully crafted and attentively pays homage to the original. With simple pads being one of the only melodic elements throughout, it packs quite a punch.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/07_13_09/DonDiablo_SongforMJ_Rememberthetime.mp3]
Don Diablo: Song For MJ (Remember The Time)
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Canadians DJ DLG and Redroche run the fabulous Eyezcream label and sent this boot over my way, to my great surprise. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not complaining – I love the duo’s production. Their touch on “Say Say Say” does not disappoint and it’s fabulous to have a brand new remix since the only other great one was done by Hi Tack and I feel like I’ve been playing it for ages now. In some respects I feel like DLG and Redroche’s version mirrors the feel of the Hi Tack mix but is a bit glossier. Gorgeous.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/07_13_09/Michael_Jackson_Say_Say_Say_DJ_DLG_and_REDROCHE_Mainroom_Tribute_Mix.mp3]
Michael Jackson: Say Say Say (DJ DLG & Redroche Mainroom Tribute Mix)
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For those of you who don’t know Demarkus Lewis – he is head honcho of Grin Music and my personal Big Friendly Giant (yeah…he’s kind of tall). He sent me his remix of “You Rock My World” and speeeeeds it up, making it a bit friendlier for the house crowd. Sometimes that much of a speed difference backfires and sounds forced, but it actually doesn’t bother me here – it works. The end product is a slightly proggy and deep remix that grooves along effortlessly.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/07_13_09/RockMyWorld_DeezTributetoMJack.mp3]
Michael Jackson: Rock My World (Deez Tribute To MJack)
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Another “Do You Remember The Time” mix, this time from DJ Royale. This mix is not as crisply produced and falls a bit flat overall mastering wise (the highs aren’t as bright as they should be, the bass doesn’t kick hard enough). Aside from the downfalls, I like the tone of the track overall. The stuttering, horn stabs and loop-centric focus reminds me of a throwback track in the era of disco house. Although I would probably slip this in a set, I’d love to see Royale go back and re-master this.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/07_13_09/DiscoTirsowithMJ.mp3]
DJ Royale: DiscoTirso With MJ
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