I'd like to wake up one morning and be Ryan Seacrest. Even if it's only for a few days. He's possibly the only other man I know of who keeps a busier schedule than me. And to look at him, you'd never know it. Always smiling, always looking handsome, he's everywhere seemingly all at once. We're watching another Dick Clark being made. Pay close attention to him. He has 'star quality' written all over him. Of course, maybe I could wake up one morning NEXT to Ryan Seacrest. That might be better.
Russell Small & James Wiltshire, better know as Freemasons ( or Freemaisons ) , have once again managed to remix one of those insanely happy dance floor tracks that makes me want to grin like an idiot. 'Lovin'' You More' by Steve Mac is a stellar follow up to their earlier remix collection. It's laced with those 8-bit digital noises that a handful of people are so obsessed with these days. The difference is, Freemasons know what they are doing in the studio.
Another great cut of theirs is the remix of Faith Evans' 'Mesmerized.' I wrote about her album late last year, but listening to the Freemasons remix puts the remixing duo into perspective. You'd swear their mantra in the studio is 'Happy, happy, and more happy!'
They even have respect for the past. Their chart-topping track 'Love On My Mind' combines themes from Jackie Moore's 'This Time Baby,' a Disco classic from 1979 that was a remake of an O'Jay's song. The only beef I have with 'Love On My Mind' is that it never makes it to the hook. If you hear it while you're out and about, watch the crowd for people who end up singing the hook anyway. I'm sure you'll see them at Berlin's Disco night.
And I can't fail to mention their 'Don't Give Hate a Chance' by Jamiroquai. I wrote about this one last year too and it's still on my personal play-list.
So why am I telling you all this? Well, it just goes to show that when it comes to dance music, the remixer is key. They basically re-produce the track in a new way. Each of the songs I've mentioned are distinctly unique. If you compared the originals, you'd hardly be able to envision huge dance floor hits from any of them. But in the hands of a great team of remixers, the tracks morph into the kind of music that will make you throw your hands in the air and release some steam on the 'floor.
Take a moment to look through your collection of music and make some notes about the remixers you like. Then jump online and search through your favorite store, looking for those names. I'm certain you'll 'discover' some tracks that you may have previously passed up. And who knows, if you're really lucky, you'll find some hidden gems that you never knew were there.
With you in 4/4,
Peter Mavrik
peter@windycitymediagroup.com
radiopeter.com
