About a month ago, a great remix album was released- Nat King Cole: Re: Generations. It features classic Nat King Cole songs remixed by a number of great artists like The Roots, Cee-Lo, Bebel Gilberto, Stephen and Damien Marley, Cut Chemist, Brazilian Girls, Nas & Salaam Remi, and TV on the Radio. It’s an unbelievable remix album. When I talk with people who think classic songs should be left alone, I’ll be sure to bring up this album to show them why I disagree.
MP3: Nat King Cole – Lush Life (Cee-Lo remix)
MP3: Nat King Cole – Day In Day Out (Cut Chemist remix)
Nat King Cole: Re: Generations
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Speaking of great remixes, how about a great cover song? Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings released this soulful version of the Shuggie Otis song “Inspiration Information” for the Red Hot charity compilation Dark Was The Night. The original album, Inspiration Information (1974), was one that I found at the USC radio station, not too long after it was reissued back in 2001. I instantly fell in love with the album and started collecting as much Shuggie Otis material as I could. I was thrilled to hear a new take on what I consider an unappreciated classic.
MP3: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings – Inspiration Information
Mp3 Sample: Shuggie Otis: Inspiration Information
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Mos Def did a 12 minute cover of Kanye West’s “Say You Will” when he played the Blue Note in NYC back in January. I’ve said it before and this MP3 is just another example of how Kanye is a better producer than anything else. He’s so much better when he’s behind the scenes than when he is in the spotlight. I don’t think he could ever handle that though. After seeing his response on his blog to the “Gay Fish” episode of South Park, I don’t think Kanye could ever be happy with just being behind the scenes. Anyway, Mos Def has a lot of soul and he’s got a great common man’s voice in my opinion. He’s not an incredibly talented singer, he’s not even a great singer, but his voice is really good. I was skeptical when I first heard about the cover but, after hearing it, I love this song now. And usually I don’t like live recordings but this is a good one, the recording reminds me of a live version of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” I have…
MP3: Mos Def – Say You Will (Live at the Blue Note)
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When I first heard about a Beatles‘ “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” remix, I thought it had to be terrible. But I quickly changed my mind after I listened to Streetlab’s remix. Streetlab gives the song a whole new feeling and it’s a lot of fun. I think it’s great but I’d be willing to bet most Beatles fan’s hate it… I checked out Streetlab’s other material and I thought a lot of it was really good. Check out these other cool remixes:
MP3: The Beatles – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Streetlab remix)
MP3: Beastie Boys – Sabotage (Streetlab Remix)
MP3: The Blue Van – Man Up (Streetlab VS Sean MF’in Roberts remix)
MP3: Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter (Streetlab remix)
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Once again, a recommendation that I got from Ushkow has turned into a great listening adventure. He suggested I check out Manchester Orchestra’s new material on their myspace. At first, I didn’t think it was anything special. I listened at work though, so I didn’t have the volume up and wasn’t really able to get into it. After checking it out again at home, I loved it and I’ve been listening to it all day. Here are some of the tracks from their new album released last week, Mean Everything To Nothing.
MP3: Manchester Orchestra – The Only One
MP3: Manchester Orchestra – I’ve Got Friends
Remixes
Covers
