It's Market Days already and the hot music hasn't slowed down one bit. It's a time to be happy, and bask in the joyful summer sun before it becomes a distant memory.
I start this week with a bouncy happy tune called Soulshaker by the Beatchuggers featuring Rahmlee on the Toolroom label. There are a couple remixes out there, but the Original Mix takes the cake, full of filtered vocals and a bass line that will make you want to move. The Lindos and Kokoa mix takes a deep sexy spin on the tune that reminds me of an after hours party I was at the other week ( you know who you are... ) .
Eric Prydz is still riding his talent for remaking old tracks and vaulting them into the now. Inner City, for those who remember, was a pivotal House group back in the day. Their hits spread like wildfire when they hit the dance floors and the airwaves. Ahhh, the salad days of good radio. Anyway, their classic cut 'Good Life' has been worked into an electronic fantasy a-la-Prydz. It's a bit spare for the first few minutes, but when the oh-so-familiar hook drops, you can watch everyone on the 'floor raise their hands in the air and live for the song. Definitely a crowd pleaser, and a good remake of a classic track.
Now I'll turn to music videos. The MTV Video Awards to be exact. To me, the MTV awards nominees are a great way to measure the pulse of pop culture. Music, and especially the look of music ( yes, the 'look' of music ) , reflects pop culture in the US and beyond. Music videos are one of those great enigmas. Are they art imitating life or life imitating art? Do producers and directors create trends or follow them? Which came first, the video or the reality? It's hard to tell, and that whole grey area is what makes them good markers of pop culture in my book.
Let's take Video Of The Year for example. The contenders are Coldplay for 'Speed of Sound', Green Day for 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams', Gwen Stefani for 'Hollaback Girl', Kanye West for 'Jesus Walks', and Snoop Dogg with Pharrell for 'Drop It Like It's Hot'. The range of sound and looks are amazing in that lineup. Moody, somber, happy, spiritual, and naughty. Each is wrapped up in a different package, and all of the 'looks' can be found on the streets.
On the dance floor you can see many of the moves from the Best Dance Video category. The list is again widespread in style; Ciara '1,2 Step', Destiny's Child 'Lose My Breath', Jennifer Lopez 'Get Right', Missy Elliott with Ciara & Fat Man Scoop 'Lose Control', and Shakira 'La Tortura'. Someday I want to be able to gyrate like Shakira in that video. But until then, I'll be happy to watch and appreciate.
Happy Market Days everyone. Be safe!
Always with you in 4/4,
Peter Mavrik
peter@windycitymediagroup.com
