drwex | Entries tagged with bullion

It's been a while since I had several tracks I could group together under a "theme"; we start with three soul-derived tracks and then go off into a different kind of fun.

http://audioporncentral.com/2010/01/bullion-say-goodbye-to-what.html
If you want to attract my attention to a piece of music there are few better phrases than "hook-laden psychedelic funk". P-Funk is the proper heir to soul and this odd warbly vocal mix done over classic funk beats is a great piece from Bullion (http://www.myspace.com/bullionness)

http://audioporncentral.com/2010/01/soul-ii-soul-back-to-life-the-rules-remix.html
Soul II Soul (http://www.soul2soul.co.uk/startpage/) are a funky English soul/jazz/RnB outfit that was popular in the 80s. Here we get their "Back to Life" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvC1ijiyv1c) redone by someone calling himself "The Rules" - no idea who that is, but it's a really good mix.

http://hypem.com/#/track/1021122/Marlena+Shaw+-+California+Soul+Diplo+Mad+Decent+Remix+
Marlena Shaw is a name you probably haven't heard (I hadn't). She mostly recorded in the 60s and her stuff showed up in various blacksploitation films in the 70s then was heavily sampled by early rappers in the 80s. Diplo's remix does a good job of keeping her soulful voice clear against both a decent horn background and some dancier beats.

http://www.mashuptown.com/2010/01/boo.html
This promo page for Bootie's recent concert has some really amazing tracks, of which I really want you to hear The Kleptones' "Welcome Back." Like their Uptime set mix this one builds off a number of 80s/90s favorites and is a lot of fun. The other mixes on that page are good but this one is the best.

http://rcrdlbl.com/artists/Groove_Armada/track/Pull_Up_Crank_It_Up_Mad_Decent_Remix
Groove Armada are probably best known in America for their "This is the house that funk built" from the track "I See You Baby" which was popularized by Fatboy Slim. Their natural sound, though, is much more funky and features some smooth electro-house vocals. For example, listen to their live performance of "Easy" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kF1ZaRs-iY) which starts off with orchestral violins and segues into some serious funk beats.

What then, to make of this remix? It's taking some of the pure essence and infusing it into a reggeaton rhythic get-up-and-dance driving track. I would not have known it was Groove Armada if not for the labeling, but that's OK. It's fully excellent on its own.