The reviews are in for my RJD2 remix, and the response was once again overwhelming! Time Out NY called me a “Brooklyn studio whiz,” The UK Independent noted that I’m “quickly becoming the go-to guy for remixes among the indie sector,” some more Sirius/XM satellite radio airplay, sat on Elbo.ws top ten list for well over a week, and for the 4th time this year hit #1 on the Hypemachine charts!
So… ttttthankkkkk yyyyyyouuuu a million times over to those of you out there that listened and/or had something kind to say!
Before I get down to business, I should tell y’all I’m hard at work on a few new remixes, two of which are quite different from my usual fare, in large part because there’s FEMALE SINGERS on both… Oooooooh
My “Sweet Disposition” remix has struck again, this time with a trifecta of exciting news tidbits. First off, it’s been released on the latest Ministry of Sound compilation, “Hed Kandi: Nu Disco.” It features Chromeo, Fred Falke, Lindstrom, Grizzly Bear, Passion Pit, and… me? You can check it out here:
“…featuring a myriad of modern day disco gems taken from a dance music phenomenon that has taken over Hed Kandi headquarters and every enlightened dancefloor across the globe… Nu Disco is Hed Kandi’s perspective on the natural evolution of our beloved disco as it is transformed into the pioneering distant futuristic sound of the 21st century. This is disco’s budding romance with science fiction…”
Next order of business, the SD remix snuck it’s way onto DJ-AM-protegé DJ Morse Code’s latest mix, entitled “Walking on the Moon!” It’s a great mix (and not just because I’m biased!) – Calvin Harris, VHS or Beta, Miike Snow, and many more… Check it:
It gives me IMMENSE pleasure to present my latest remix of RJD2’s “The Shining Path” from his new album, “The Colossus” (BUY IT). RJ is a 10-year-strong musical innovator and pioneer, and it’s been an honor to correspond with him and work on this. Furthermore, today on his website, he said he loves what I did with the remix, and I’m still buzzing quite a bit about that.
The man is a legend and needs no introduction. I vividly remember hearing “Ghostwriter” for the first time, and thinking “YES…” RJ’s unique vision, ability to cross genres, and garner the respect of so many major artists and fans alike is unparalleled. Also worth noting, he’s released his latest record himself, abandoning the traditional record label model at a high level. That’s something I wish I saw more of in the world and is pretty inspiring, to say the least.
As I tried to explain the big-deal-ness of this project to my parents, they looked at me encouragingly but blankly… until I explained that his song, “A Beautiful Mine,” was licensed as the theme song to AMC’s “Mad Men,” at which point their eyes lit up – “oh we LOVE that song.” Damn straight!
Enough gushing, and on to the remix… It features Grammy-nominated Phonte Coleman of Little Brother and The Foreign Exchange on vocals. Without getting too technical/music-dorky about it, the original song (listen here) had a 6/8 feel, reminiscent of some classic Motown. As I listened to Phonte’s vocal, though, I saw the potential to hear it as a straight 4/4 rhythm, but with hints of triplets. In non-dork terms, I gave the song a very different feel – elements of G-Funk, California 60’s surf-pop, 8-bit sounds, and more… I hope the result will make you want to strut in the sunshine. Check it out:
Welcome to Wilcassettes, the home of everything Alan Wilkis. Alan is a Brooklyn-based musician, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and general musical mover-and-shaker... Anything else you'd like to know? Ask Alan HERE: http://www.formspring.me/alanwilkis
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