The life of a porn addicted housewife.
Friday, June 03, 2005
Album Review: Motown Remixed
OK, so I was reading the entertainment news Wednesday and I came across an article saying that the record companies have pretty much given up on fighting DJs who sample their music. Instead of suing them, they are beginning to hire them to make legal (read money making) remixed tracks. The article continued on by saying that the most recent wave of these new remixes involves the use of older music from the 50’s-70’s.
One new album they mentioned specifically was Motown Remixed. Well of course I immediately went to Amazon to check the track list. Once I saw the list of songs I went right to easynews and downloaded the cd. With some of the songs I have posted and some of the comments I’ve made here, you know I am a sucker for the Motown style of music.
Ap0k and I listened to the cd during dinner that night and the following is our review:
01. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (Z-Trip Remix)
The most striking difference in this track is the strengthening of the bass and drum lines. I have always thought this song had a hollow sound. In all honesty I have never cared much for the Jackson 5 mainly because I am not a fan of child singers. This remix seems to give the song more depth. Ap0k likes pretty much anything by the Jackson 5. He thought this one was well done.
02. Gladys Knight & The Pips - Heard It Through The Grapevine
(Sympathy For The Grapes Mix)
This was a great song to begin with. The backing track on this one makes it a much peppier track, though I wish the crash cymbal had been a little less tinny sounding. Ap0k seemed to like this one too.
03. Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (Da Producers MPG Groove Mix)
Making a good remix of a slow song is a tricky thing. While we both liked this version, I personally think that it lost some of the “sex” that the original had.
04. Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours (DJ Smash Essential Funk Mix)
All I can say about this one is that while it has been changed, it could have been the original. Excellent.
05. Jackson 5 - ABC (Saleem Remix Krunk-A-Delic Party Mix)
*sigh* Another Jackson 5 song. I can’t stand the original song. The background track makes it barely listenable. Ap0k liked this one also. (He has no taste!)
06. Rare Earth - I Just Want To Celebrate (Mocean Worker Remix)
I am a huge fan of the original song so I was terrified that they might have screwed it up. Boy was I shocked! I think this is quite possibly the best remixed song I have ever heard! In fact I think this may be the next song I will post. Ap0k really liked this one also. We ended up playing this one multiple times.
07. The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Pete Kuzma Solefull Remix)
I am going to quote Ap0k on this one. “Sacrilege! Some songs were perfect when they were originally made and should never be screwed with!” Can you tell this is one of his favorite songs? While I admit that the original is a MUCH better song, this remix is quite good. The backing track stays as smooth as the original so it isn’t too jarring of a difference. The clapping gets a bit annoying though.
08. Smokey Robinson - Quiet Storm (Groove Boutique Remix)
I have always thought that this was one of the most boring songs ever made. And you know what? I still do! We didn’t even make it through this whole track before we changed it.
09. Diana Ross & The Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You (Tranzition Remix)
With all of the songs that Motown has available why on earth would they pick this one? Another snoozer. The backing track does make it a little more lively, but still zzzzzz.
10. The Temptations - Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) (Easy Mo Bee Remix)
Why did they group all of the slow songs together? This is getting boring! The Temptations released a gazillion songs. They should have picked a better one. The only real change is a dull drum line. Blah.
11. The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes (Futureshock Main Ingredient Mix)
Yay! Finally we get to another good song! Still slow, but at least it’s one that I like. This also could have been the original. Songs like this need to keep the original flavor and this is a good example of that. I hate it when they make meaningful songs “dancy” if you know what I mean. Ap0k agreed with me on this one too.
12. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears Of A Clown (Hotsnax Remix)
Now I just said I didn’t like it when they made songs “dancy” and along comes this song. They made this one a total dance song and I love it!!!! They totally improved this song from one end to the other. Ap0k said he could here this one playing in a club with no problem.
13. Eddie Kendricks - Keep On Truckin' (DJ Spinna Remix)
Once again this could have been the original. Very well done. The original is not a favorite of either of us, but we both liked this version.
14. Edwin Starr - War (King Britt Remix)
This one is tricky. The song was originally a protest song meant to be taken seriously. This remix, while very well done musically, takes the feeling out of the song. The passion doesn’t seem as strong as the original.
15. Rick James - Mary Jane (DJ Green Lantern Evil Genius Remix)
Nothing surprising here really. This song has been remixed by everyone and his brother I think. This version is very well done though.
Our overall rating:
B+
Though Ap0k just said that “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” deserves a D- at best.
As the best song on the album, I give "I Just Want To Celebrate" an A+
My only real complaint with the whole album is that with the large amount of Motown artists available to work with, why did they repeat so many of them?
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One new album they mentioned specifically was Motown Remixed. Well of course I immediately went to Amazon to check the track list. Once I saw the list of songs I went right to easynews and downloaded the cd. With some of the songs I have posted and some of the comments I’ve made here, you know I am a sucker for the Motown style of music.
Ap0k and I listened to the cd during dinner that night and the following is our review:
01. Jackson 5 - I Want You Back (Z-Trip Remix)
The most striking difference in this track is the strengthening of the bass and drum lines. I have always thought this song had a hollow sound. In all honesty I have never cared much for the Jackson 5 mainly because I am not a fan of child singers. This remix seems to give the song more depth. Ap0k likes pretty much anything by the Jackson 5. He thought this one was well done.
02. Gladys Knight & The Pips - Heard It Through The Grapevine
(Sympathy For The Grapes Mix)
This was a great song to begin with. The backing track on this one makes it a much peppier track, though I wish the crash cymbal had been a little less tinny sounding. Ap0k seemed to like this one too.
03. Marvin Gaye - Let's Get It On (Da Producers MPG Groove Mix)
Making a good remix of a slow song is a tricky thing. While we both liked this version, I personally think that it lost some of the “sex” that the original had.
04. Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours (DJ Smash Essential Funk Mix)
All I can say about this one is that while it has been changed, it could have been the original. Excellent.
05. Jackson 5 - ABC (Saleem Remix Krunk-A-Delic Party Mix)
*sigh* Another Jackson 5 song. I can’t stand the original song. The background track makes it barely listenable. Ap0k liked this one also. (He has no taste!)
06. Rare Earth - I Just Want To Celebrate (Mocean Worker Remix)
I am a huge fan of the original song so I was terrified that they might have screwed it up. Boy was I shocked! I think this is quite possibly the best remixed song I have ever heard! In fact I think this may be the next song I will post. Ap0k really liked this one also. We ended up playing this one multiple times.
07. The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Pete Kuzma Solefull Remix)
I am going to quote Ap0k on this one. “Sacrilege! Some songs were perfect when they were originally made and should never be screwed with!” Can you tell this is one of his favorite songs? While I admit that the original is a MUCH better song, this remix is quite good. The backing track stays as smooth as the original so it isn’t too jarring of a difference. The clapping gets a bit annoying though.
08. Smokey Robinson - Quiet Storm (Groove Boutique Remix)
I have always thought that this was one of the most boring songs ever made. And you know what? I still do! We didn’t even make it through this whole track before we changed it.
09. Diana Ross & The Supremes - My World Is Empty Without You (Tranzition Remix)
With all of the songs that Motown has available why on earth would they pick this one? Another snoozer. The backing track does make it a little more lively, but still zzzzzz.
10. The Temptations - Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) (Easy Mo Bee Remix)
Why did they group all of the slow songs together? This is getting boring! The Temptations released a gazillion songs. They should have picked a better one. The only real change is a dull drum line. Blah.
11. The Undisputed Truth - Smiling Faces Sometimes (Futureshock Main Ingredient Mix)
Yay! Finally we get to another good song! Still slow, but at least it’s one that I like. This also could have been the original. Songs like this need to keep the original flavor and this is a good example of that. I hate it when they make meaningful songs “dancy” if you know what I mean. Ap0k agreed with me on this one too.
12. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears Of A Clown (Hotsnax Remix)
Now I just said I didn’t like it when they made songs “dancy” and along comes this song. They made this one a total dance song and I love it!!!! They totally improved this song from one end to the other. Ap0k said he could here this one playing in a club with no problem.
13. Eddie Kendricks - Keep On Truckin' (DJ Spinna Remix)
Once again this could have been the original. Very well done. The original is not a favorite of either of us, but we both liked this version.
14. Edwin Starr - War (King Britt Remix)
This one is tricky. The song was originally a protest song meant to be taken seriously. This remix, while very well done musically, takes the feeling out of the song. The passion doesn’t seem as strong as the original.
15. Rick James - Mary Jane (DJ Green Lantern Evil Genius Remix)
Nothing surprising here really. This song has been remixed by everyone and his brother I think. This version is very well done though.
Our overall rating:
B+
Though Ap0k just said that “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” deserves a D- at best.
As the best song on the album, I give "I Just Want To Celebrate" an A+
My only real complaint with the whole album is that with the large amount of Motown artists available to work with, why did they repeat so many of them?
