first of all, this post is incredible. i love kelela’s remix albums and i’m glad people online are speaking up about her talented ear and taste for remixes when others claimed that charli released the best remix album of the year. love both but let’s just look at ra:ven!!!
Thank you Noella!!! Kelela really led the way, a whole decade ago. And I appreciate what you shared in this comment. So much of my work is recentering Black women’s innovations because there has always been an effort to deny us contributions and credit. I had so much fun writing this.
RAVE:N is one of my fave releases this year! i love Shygirl’s new song with Saweetie which already feels like a remix, maybe we’ll get an official one too.
incredible list. thank you for making it available on tidal! 🙏🏼
Here for this spotlight 👏🏾 The quality control on Kelela's last album was sky high. Karen Nyame KG and Loraine James are two artists I return to. The latter also did this stellar flip of Tirzah's 'Hips':
PS If we're looking at unheralded Mariah remix bangers, I know it's from the boys again but a Mobb Deep collab still knocks hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-zU4Sdn02s
Looking further back, I tend to favour remixes that are reimaginings of tracks unless a feature takes the track someplace else lyrically.
Glad you’re feelin’ them. That late 90s period into the 2000s is my sweet spot for remixes. I don’t see the same ambition across the board but maybe that’s because of the way music is consumed now, the lack of 12” made for weird club nights etc Always a few diamonds out there though. You do still get remix albums but they are quite safe. Kelela’s is a real statement of intent.
This was such a fun read! Mariah Carey definitely deserves her flowers and digging a lot of your remix selections (Say My Name w/ Timbaland and Static Major is just 👌🏾)
My personal favourite remixes (excluding features / posse cuts) are:
1. Janet Jackson x DJ Premier - Together Again;
2. Kelela x KAYTRANADA - Waitin’ 115 BPM;
3. Mariah Carey - Fly Away (Butterfly) Reprise; and
4. D’Angelo x Erick Sermon - Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine (Dreamy Mix)
Thanks John! These are some great songs you shared, I appreciate you reading. The Kaytranada remix is my second fave on that album. He played it at his tour recently which was dope!
Omg, Say My Name Remix was everything! What a brilliant write-up!
Thank you for reading Lenora! I’m glad you see a remix you recognize and love
first of all, this post is incredible. i love kelela’s remix albums and i’m glad people online are speaking up about her talented ear and taste for remixes when others claimed that charli released the best remix album of the year. love both but let’s just look at ra:ven!!!
Thank you Noella!!! Kelela really led the way, a whole decade ago. And I appreciate what you shared in this comment. So much of my work is recentering Black women’s innovations because there has always been an effort to deny us contributions and credit. I had so much fun writing this.
of course, i enjoyed reading this so much!
Thank you for this! I have new house mix favorites 😊
Thank you Victoria! That makes me happy. 🙏🏾
RAVE:N is one of my fave releases this year! i love Shygirl’s new song with Saweetie which already feels like a remix, maybe we’ll get an official one too.
incredible list. thank you for making it available on tidal! 🙏🏼
Hi Bee,
Thanks for reading and for the recommendation! This is a fun record. ✨I also added this to my library
Here for this spotlight 👏🏾 The quality control on Kelela's last album was sky high. Karen Nyame KG and Loraine James are two artists I return to. The latter also did this stellar flip of Tirzah's 'Hips':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT7-H9NFW8c
Ladies first:
From last year but KeiyaA'a remix of Kokoroko's is art. https://kokoroko.bandcamp.com/track/we-give-thanks-keiyaa-remix
Always checking for Lafawndah, who uses space particularly well in this ambient excursion for Michael Vincent Waller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jafOp6ViBXw
As does Nala Sinephro, here on the remix for Nubya Garcia from 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrN-kqMOgc4
Also from the recent past, but Fauzia is one to watch. Here remixing Tirzah's 'Tectonic'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS6rMX1vyGU
PS If we're looking at unheralded Mariah remix bangers, I know it's from the boys again but a Mobb Deep collab still knocks hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-zU4Sdn02s
Looking further back, I tend to favour remixes that are reimaginings of tracks unless a feature takes the track someplace else lyrically.
Coming to mind:
Neptunes remix of Sade's 'By Your Side'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLO9g52TrZ0
Yam Who rework of Raphael Saadiq's 'Skyy Can You Feel Me'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IYt34BPALw&pp=ygUMeWFtIHdobyBza3l5
Dobie's rub of Bjork (featuring Rodney P)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WG0rjNApFk
Jay Dee/Dilla Fourtet's 'As Serious As Your Life'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AhCB7gsZLA
Masters at Work stretching out Roni Size's 'Watching Windows' and adding a little spice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i59m7ppfvhk
Obvious one but Kaytra's flip of Janet' 'If' is irresistible on the floor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WERGtxSU-Ww
Pete Rock's remix of Black Star's 'Respiration' (featuring Black Thought) has got the weight of a spiritual
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IUE3ivHAB0
I'm gonna stop now 😅
Hey Amar, I’m finally getting around to playing these amazing remixes! I appreciate the variety of sounds you sent. You have some great taste!
The Raphael one and Masters at Work are my faves. I bookmarked these to download for my crates
Also, the Sade Neptunes flip has been on rotation this year. It’s such a dope update to her classic.
Glad you’re feelin’ them. That late 90s period into the 2000s is my sweet spot for remixes. I don’t see the same ambition across the board but maybe that’s because of the way music is consumed now, the lack of 12” made for weird club nights etc Always a few diamonds out there though. You do still get remix albums but they are quite safe. Kelela’s is a real statement of intent.
This was such a fun read! Mariah Carey definitely deserves her flowers and digging a lot of your remix selections (Say My Name w/ Timbaland and Static Major is just 👌🏾)
My personal favourite remixes (excluding features / posse cuts) are:
1. Janet Jackson x DJ Premier - Together Again;
2. Kelela x KAYTRANADA - Waitin’ 115 BPM;
3. Mariah Carey - Fly Away (Butterfly) Reprise; and
4. D’Angelo x Erick Sermon - Me And Those Dreamin’ Eyes Of Mine (Dreamy Mix)
Thanks John! These are some great songs you shared, I appreciate you reading. The Kaytranada remix is my second fave on that album. He played it at his tour recently which was dope!
this is an excellent, necessary read.
Great read!
Thank you for reading Korede!