Until We Meet Again

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 >> Blog
Written by Dani Deahl

Oh don’t get freaked out, I’m just leaving tomorrow for some gigs and won’t be around until the end of the week. Tomorrow I play The Dub Land Underground in Rochester, Friday I’m at Trexx in Syracuse and Saturday night I fly back to play one of my favorite spots in Chicago, Vertigo Sky Lounge. If you’re in any of these areas and want guest list for the events, hit me up at dani@danideahl.com! In preparation for leaving, I’m putting a post up now, especially since I need to get my sleep tonight. I’m getting over the flu, which is just the icing on the cake after everything else the past few weeks. GODDAMN!

I have to put this remix first as I am a Chicago girl, a house lover, and then by default, a Green Velvet/Cajmere fan. Cold Blank sent over this remix of “Shake and Pop” which was a tad surprising (haven’t seen a new remix float around for some time), but I’m so glad he did. His remix adds major punch while maintaining the core integrity of the track. Additional drums, spurts of buzzy synths and little reworks on the vocal (echoes, loops, etc.) make this a stunner that ‘turns the stereo up some mo’ while still keeping it recognizable throughout.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/11_09_09/Shake_and_Pop_Cold_Blank_Remix.mp3]
Green Velvet: Shake and Pop (Cold Blank Remix)
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I’ve always been a fan of Death to the Throne and I think I’ve posted every remix he’s sent over. This time he takes on a daunting pick, “Shelter” by The XX. The original is very ethereal and devoid of drums, and guitar even, save for a few repeated tidbits. Simply put, the vocal is the star and what melody surrounds it simply acts as atmospherics. Talk about a challenge, especially for someone who dabbles in electro. The outcome is quite gorgeous, and the repetitious guitar is included as well as the vocal in full. The track doesn’t sound too sped up and the elements added sound like they are supposed to be there. I’m particularly intrigued by the tiny panned swishing sounds thoughout. Well done.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/11_09_09/shelter_DEATHTOTHETHRONEREMIX.mp3]
The XX: Shelter (Death to the Throne Remix)
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First thing you need to know: the original is by Dragonette. Second: the remix is by the fab Buffetlibre. Third: mastered by Sidechains. Isn’t that a magical combo? Easygoing and slowly building, the track rests on the laurels of the vocal in the beginning, slowly building to a breakdown that strips away everything save for a clap, the vocal and a single synth. When it kicks back in, the synths become center stage and it feels like a wholly natural progression. I like the organic instrument touches as well (I’m a sucker for piano).

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/11_09_09/dragonettebuffetlibre.mp3]
Dragonette: Easy (Buffetlibre Remix)
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I’ve always been a Cassius fan, and “The Sound Of Violence” was in my playlist until I think I near wore the record out. How nice then, to get this remix of “Youth Speed Trouble Cigarettes” by Reset! The synths are right on as are the vocal stabs. I wish the namesake was featured a little more predominantly (it’s just so catchy and easy to sing along to), but overall the glitch and production wins me over.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/11_09_09/Cassius_YouthSpeedTroubleCigarettes_ResetTroubleRemix.mp3]
Cassius: Youth Speed Trouble Cigarettes (Reset! Trouble Remix)
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Should I be miffed that the newest Don Diablo remix I like is called the “sellout” remix? F**k it, I like it better than the original. DD’s remixed himself here on “I Need To Know” utilizes some unique sounds and a sparseness that might not work in all instances, but provides a nice backdrop here to the vocals. One thing I particularly like – the song wanders along in a very certain direction for long enough that the listener might not expect anything else. Then the 3:00 mark happens, and the grittiness and bass that I desperately wanted to appear, does, and slowly enough that it’s a brilliant tease. Why oh why does it not continue right after the break though??

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/11_09_09/DonDiablo_INeedToKnow_DonDiabloSelloutSessionsMix.mp3]
Don Diablo: I Need To Know (Don Diablo’s Sellout Sessions Mix)
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Ok wobble fans, here’s one for you. Putting aside that SLiPZ N DaPZ‘s name is annoying as hell to spell out, I rather like his track “R U Familiar” and I’m a hard one to win over with wobble. The rap courtesy of Juice Man certainly helps to add some depth but I wish it didn’t drop out as much as it did. Am I the only one who thinks with the sounds already there it should have broken down into some brief dubstep (no, the 3:20 mark doesn’t count)? Ok, seriously, enough with the critique – I do like the track – produced well, vocal paired well, distinct point of view.

[audio:http://www.danideahl.com/audio/11_09_09/SLiPNDaPZ_RUFAMILIARFTJUICEMAN.mp3]
SLiPZ N DaPZ: R U Familiar Feat. Juice Man
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