Go into Phonica records in Soho, pick up any single, flip it over to reveal the b-side, and you’ll inevitably see the words remix, edit, dub, rework, or the less popular mishmash staring back at you.
This will confuse and annoy a lot of you. Why would I want 5 versions of the same song? I don’t wanna listen to an eight and a half minute tech-house version of Billie Jean. Who cares about the bloated musical output of some spotty adolescent “DJ” hunched over a laptop in the corner of a dark bedroom surrounded by vacant pizza boxes and cummy tissues?
However, there is a lot of silver lining to this particular cloud and I think a lot of people don’t see it. So, to hopefully win over any skeptics here is my own, completely subjective, list of 10 remixes that are better than the original. But before you get stuck into the list there are a few things we need to clear up.
If, like me, you want to make a case for the value of remixes you have to being doing so with an admission. There are a load of shit remixes out there, and I mean a LOT. Any jerk with Logic on their computer and too much times on their hands can knock out a remix, and if done without talent, care, or attention the results will be (a steaming pile of) wank. There is no point defending the indefensible.
The problem is that the black sheep of the remix family are so dreadfully bad they sully the reputation of their brothers and sisters. As a result people dismiss remixes as a waste of time, but to do this is to close your eyes to a whole load of great music that is out their floating about in cyberspace or resting on the racks of specialist record stores.
Anyway, that’s enough of this ‘on the back foot’ defensive stuff, here’s why remixes are good.
I really admire the process of re-interpreting another artists work. The skill and vision it takes to pull an otherwise unnoticed vocal or drum loop out of a track and then spin around it a whole new musical creation should not be dismissed as easy. Also to have the confidence to be completely irreverent with the source material and change the feel of a track, putting your own unique stamp on it, is something I find really interesting. Haters will say that the process of sampling is lazy and unimaginative, but sampling is just a more direct and obvious form of influence. It’s fast-tracked inspiration.
Waffle aside, here is a list of 10 great remixes (in no particular order), which demonstrate it remixing be a force for good as well as evil. It could easily have been 30, but I know you’re busy people.
1. Bloc Party - The Tulips (Minotaur Shock Remix)
It’s important to begin this story with Genesis. This was the first remix I remember liking, back when I was an indie kid with bloc party badges on my jacket and festival bands on my wrist. Bloc Party were my world and I got this track as a b-side on the Helicopter CD single. After playing the CD through a few times it was this track that I couldn’t get out of my head. This is a great track improved by the very tallented Minotaur Shock. That’s the other great thing about remixes, they can turn you on to artists who otherwise might have passed by unnoticed.
03 Tulips (Minotaur Shock Remix)
2. Nathan Fake - Sky Was Pink (James Holden Remix)
I’m really going all out with my first two selections here. This one would easily be in my desert island top 5 records of all time. The original, from Nathan Fake’s 2006 debut album, sounds like a soundscape for a 70s sci-fi film. For the remix, Border Communities label boss James Holden has ripped the track apart and in it’s place constructed this immersive and powerful masterclass in techno. Please listen to this on a descent sound system or some good headphones, it really deserves it.
The Sky Was Pink (James Holden Remix)
3. The Big Pink - Too Young To Love (Delorean Remix)
I really like The Big Pink, and the original of this track is very listenable, being both gritty and down to earth. But for me Spaniards Delorean have just nosed it with their remix. Lifting the track with their warm synthesizers they give it an added dreamy quality that I think better fits the ‘young love’ theme.
Too Young To Love (Delorean Remix)
4. M83 - Run Into Flowers (Midnight Fuck Remix by Jackson)
Here is another personal favourite and one that I would definately spend my last living days listening to. Jackson, this time without his Computer Band, preserves enough of M83s floating elegant original, knowing exactly where to break up the swelling keys with his own brand of odd samples electronic delights.
06 Run Into Flowers (Midnight Fuck Remix By Jackson)
5. Franz Ferdinand - Fade Together (Avalanches Remix)
This remix is on the list to demonstrate that not all remixes are brash dancefloor fodder - made to tap into gurning pill heads lower state of consciousness - and also because it’s good. From a jaunty piano-led original these clever Auzzies have crafted a haunting and atmospheric 4 minutes. Alex Kapranos’s voice has never sounded so good and the running water sound effect is also a nice touch.
Fade Together (Avalanches Remix)
Click next page to hear 5 more awesome remixes
