A while back I dropped the first singles off of my upcoming project, State of the Arts, for free download.
Today, go and grab the maxi-singles available everywhere digitally, complete with new exclusive B-sides and Remixes!
FOOL ON THE HILL
01. Fool On The Hill featuring Phonte 02. Fool On The Hill (Instrumental) 03. Fool On The Hill (1-O.A.K. Remix) featuring Phonte 04. Fool On The Hill (Snippet) 05. Life Is What You Make It
Givin' myself to you is like giving myself to a Chainsaw/ You keep cutting me open wide, Is that the only thing you're good for?/
Indeed.
Been there.
Scratch that.
I live there!
But seriously, tell me what it is. What is so enticing about self-inflicted pain. I understand being intrigued by something you have no knowledge or understanding of. You know, like when toddlers all inevitably go after electric sockets. The epitome of an ignorant-ass thing to do. But can you blame the baby? No. A baby's mind is filled with darkness... Only until the light of knowledge and experience pushes out allllll of the darkness.
Truth is, most toddlers grow up without being electrocuted because they ultimately learn after being told "NO" repeatedly. So why is this not the case for the laws of attraction?
From both observation and personal experience, when someone attempts to dissuade someone else from going after another person who may not be the best thing for them, it rarely works. In fact, it's quite the opposite. There is something Sweet about that Taboo.
And many times, the experience is just as one could have expected... A Roller Coaster with the highest highs and lowest lows. And in a way, those things reconcile themselves. Depending your outlook on life, some would argue that Happiness is paid for with Sadness. Pleasure with Pain.
Am I crazy? Who isn't?
Tangent? Probably.
Nonsense to some? Sure of it.
Helpful to others? Of Course.
Either way it goes, my homie Daniel Merriweather has taken a perfect snap shot with these lyrics. Its funny because both the original and my remix make this dichotomy of the "Sweetest Taboo" feel way more pleasant than it actually feels.
Now, are you holding the Chainsaw or are you getting getting hacked up by standing in the way?
"I'm feeling like a monster truck at a botanical garden."
Ummmm... How can you NOT love this...
I've been around long enough to realize everything happens for a reason. This remix is just another notch on that tree.
Awhile back I was checking my myspace, as I do from time to time, when I received a message from this group called Boy Crisis. At the time I was unfamiliar with them. However, after reading the message one of the members sent, I realized I was more familiar than I knew. Apparently, the author of this particular myspace message was none other than my old school, high school patna, Victor. This is crazy because he is from my hometown, when to my high school, AND was in the same after school program as most of the HNRL. In fact, he even drew a mixtape cover for Tap.10's first DJ crew, The Golden Plate Warriors.
Unbeknownst to us, he'd been in pretty busy in Brooklyn as frontman for Boy Crisis and his other group Das Racist. So when he and the label approached me for a remix, I was down. I thought all of our mutual friends would get a kick out of it.
After all is said and done, my this is one of my favorite remixes. This is about as Breezy as it gets.
And for the record... Boy Crisis' "Ganglion of Lightnings"... Ohhhh Weeeeee!!! (Although the Jesus beard is a little scary...)
I've come to learn that it's extremely funny how things work out. The universe tends to foreshadow happenings in ways that you may just miss them if you're not paying attention.
Back in '05, Tap and went to London and got a chance to kick it out there for a brief stint. During that time, we got a chance to connect with Eska . At the time she was really making a lot of noise in London. Just in case you're unfamilar, her voice is the $h!t. Since that time, she's gone on to work with one of my favorites, Matthew Herbert . Wow.
When I got commissioned to remix Zero 7's upcoming single, I was speechless. I've been a fan for a minute. I remember hearing Bugz in the Attic flip "Distractions"... Sia's voice was amazing. I had the pleasure of catching them at the Hollywood Bowl along with Matthew Herbert and Gotan Project. That show was off the hook.
So when I got the parts for "Medicine Man", I heard a familiar voice on the track. It turned out that Eska was the featured vocalist. It also turns out that she is on more that a few songs on the album. After meeting her, we never got the chance to do any music, so this remix kind of brings everything full circle.
Enjoy!
Available NOW in the UK Exclusively!!! Zero 7 "Medicine Man" (Remixes) - EP iTunes UK
The first time I ever got a chance see Platinum Pied Pipers was back in '04 at Milk in San Francisco. They had already dropped the "Ridin' High"/"Open Your Eyes" 12", but I still wasn't sure what to expect from them. At that point the group was more hype than buzz in the Bay, but after seeing the show it became evident that PPP was something to pay attention to. And to put icing on the cake, the show introduced us to two women who have proven they to had something to offer the game: Tioimbe Lockhart and Georgia Anne Muldrow. I officially became a fan it all.
I finally got to meet Waajeed at Magic in '06. Dope dude. His only advice on the industry was simple. "Get Your MuthaF#@$%& Money!".
How insightful. No really.
The fact that this remix actually happened shows that Tap and I actually have the power to will things into existence. I can't explain it, but somehow, through a string of events, I knew this would happen. When I finally got the acapella, I instantly fell in love with Karma's vocals. I decided to bring the track into my realm, while still preserving its funk roots. The horns in my version arent the same horns from the original. I wanted to mimic the original, while bringing a sampled element to it. The only request/guideline I recieved about the direction of the remix was to keep it on the dancefloor. So I had to keep it electric.
Go and buy it. Buy it now. The wax is available in stores. It's on Itunes.
I've come to learn that it's extremely funny how things work out. The universe tends to foreshadow happenings in ways that you may just miss them if you're not paying attention.
Back in '05, Tap and went to London and got a chance to kick it out there for a brief stint. During that time, we got a chance to connect with Eska . At the time she was really making a lot of noise in London. Just in case you're unfamilar, her voice is the $h!t. Since that time, she's gone on to work with one of my favorites, Matthew Herbert . Wow.
When I got commissioned to remix Zero 7's upcoming single, I was speechless. I've been a fan for a minute. I remember hearing Bugz in the Attic flip "Distractions"... Sia's voice was amazing. I had the pleasure of catching them at the Hollywood Bowl along with Matthew Herbert and Gotan Project. That show was off the hook.
So when I got the parts for "Medicine Man", I heard a familiar voice on the track. It turned out that Eska was the featured vocalist. It also turns out that she is on more that a few songs on the album. After meeting her, we never got the chance to do any music, so this remix kind of brings everything full circle.
Enjoy!
Available NOW in the UK Exclusively!!! Zero 7 "Medicine Man" (Remixes) - EP iTunes UK
After months and months (and more months) of conceptualizing, strategizing, fundraising, casting, and scheduling... From the upcoming 1 O.a.K./Trackademicks Remake project, classic cover of the Cure... "THE LOVECATS"!!!
Live and direct from the Canal St. subway Station in NYC!!!
Every since I got up on Janelle Monae, I have been in her corner, hoping that her vision would someday unfold in front of a sizable audience. So many times, those with of amazing artistic statements get overlooked because their marketing budgets aren't there to bring them to those that need to see it the most. This is why I champion artists like Janelle Monae, J* Davey, and Muhsinah.
As a teen, being exposed to high concept, yet popular, "mainstream" music was essential in my development as an artist. The visibility of groups like the Roots, Outkast, and Radiohead in the 90's made it easier to see that there was a whole world of artists who valued high artistic ideals. They were fortunate enough to have opportunity bring it to the "regular" person, people who weren't "hip", "cool", or "down with the underground".
My aim has alway been to bridge gaps between the Known and Unknown. For many people, an artist like Janelle Monae represents that Unknown. So when I was asked to remix "Many Moons", I jumped at the chance.
My aim with this remix was to thoroughly address the roller coaster of Ms. Monae's musical theatrics, bringing the listener on a journey through changing soundscapes.
The first time I ever got a chance see Platinum Pied Pipers was back in '04 at Milk in San Francisco. They had already dropped the "Ridin' High"/"Open Your Eyes" 12", but I still wasn't sure what to expect from them. At that point the group was more hype than buzz in the Bay, but after seeing the show it became evident that PPP was something to pay attention to. And to put icing on the cake, the show introduced us to two women who have proven they to had something to offer the game: Tioimbe Lockhart and Georgia Anne Muldrow. I officially became a fan it all.
I finally got to meet Waajeed at Magic in '06. Dope dude. His only advice on the industry was simple. "Get Your MuthaF#@$%& Money!".
How insightful. No really.
The fact that this remix actually happened shows that Tap and I actually have the power to will things into existence. I can't explain it, but somehow, through a string of events, I knew this would happen. When I finally got the acapella, I instantly fell in love with Karma's vocals. I decided to bring the track into my realm, while still preserving its funk roots. The horns in my version arent the same horns from the original. I wanted to mimic the original, while bringing a sampled element to it. The only request/guideline I recieved about the direction of the remix was to keep it on the dancefloor. So I had to keep it electric.
Go and buy it. Buy it now. The wax is available in stores. It's on Itunes.
The Editors are dope. Before I did this remix, all I had heard from them was “Munich”. After hearing the album, “Fingers in the Factories” became a favorite of mine. I was feeling the sound already, so when the homie Catchdubs asked me if I was down to do something for the Editors remix project on Fader Label, I gladly accepted. I ended up doing two remixes, one for “Bullets” and the other for “Camera”.
Originally, the basic idea behind the “Bullets” Remix was to juxtapose the vocals with a dark soundscape, almost on a DJ Shadow-esque trip-hop vibe. The vocals were very expressive, so I wanted a remix that exposed the emotion and feeling of the original. A lot of times, I have a tendency to ramp up the energy in a track as it ticks along without a hint in the beginning. However, with this one felt like going hard in at the beginning and backing off when the verse began so I could build back up to it. The final result was a lot crazier than I had anticipated. Super Synthetic, with arpeggios everywhere. With this remix, I used the Juno-60 for the arpeggiated bass line and the ASR-88 for everything else.
Keyshia Cole “Let It Go” feat. Trackademicks and Josie Stringray (Trackademicks Remix)
DJ Tap.10 is a funny dude. As the official A&R of the Honor Roll, you can hear his ideas at work through a lot of the music we do. He is a vital part of the crew’s creative process. With that said, he never really lets the power go to his head by making outlandish demands. But when it comes to Oakland’s own Keyshia Cole it’s a different story. He a was like, “J, you HAVE to do this remix! Keyshia’s from here… It only makes sense!” I already knew it was hard for Tap to resist a good flip of the classic Mtume break. I didn’t need too much convincing since “I Changed My Mind” was one of my favorite remixes off the first [Re]Mixtape. I laced this remix in the same vein as the original. I wasn’t trying to too far off with this one, just stay right in the pocket. In order to finish this one, I had to get Josie to “let it go”… ¡Voila! ¡Holla!
After many, MANY months of waiting, The [Re]Mixtape Vol. 2 is finally here! If you haven't had the pleasure of catching us at a show or in traffic, then get ready...
In the upcoming days I will be posting a series of liner notes right here about each of the tracks on he The [Re]Mixtape Vol. 2, so check back frequently... I'll also be posting exclusive mp3s to go along with them...
Treat this link like a some good gossip and SHARE it with EVERYONE you know (or would like to know... wink wink)!
