I like doing remixes. I especially like remix contests, although I have no interest in entering them to win a t-shirt or free software. Instead, remix contests are a great way to get raw working material to inspire me. Using just the vocal track, I like to recreate the entire song into something new. The act of reinventing and reimagining someone else’s creation is interesting. It gives me a chance to experiment with different styles, and to get to know my production tools better. It also keeps my musical skills sharp, especially after long quiet periods when I don’t have much time to work on music.

Thinking about all this leads to this attempt to define my philosophy on remixes. In part this is also due to the time I’m spending working on a couple of remixes of Karsh Kale’s “Manifest.” I’ve been wondering why I do remixes, and this is an attempt to define my approach.

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My remix of Steve Spacek’s “Dollar” is in rotation on Radio Nova 99.3 in Oslo, Norway. Radio Nova is Norway’s most popular college radio station.

Thanks to the “Snadder” show for featuring the remix. Full playlist below.

1. Bilal – Hands Of Time (Interscope)
2. Torun Eriksen – Way To Go (Jazzland/Sonet/Universal)
3. Goapele – Catch 22 (Skyblaze/Columbia)
4. Musiq – Onenight (Def Soul)
5. Ghostface feat Ne-Yo – Back Like That
6. Madlib – Friends (Foes) (Stones Throw/VME)
7. Remy Ma feat Big Pun – Thug Love (SRC/Universal)
8. Al Green – Love And Happiness (Hi)
9. Prince - Satisfied (NPG/Universal)
10. Prince – Little Red Corvette (Warner)
11. Prince – Lolita (NPG/Universal)
12. Steve Spacek – Dollar (Kaushik Remix) (white label)
13. Nate James – The Message (One Two)
14. Mink DeVille – Help Me To Make It (Power Of A Woman’s Love) (Atlantic)

It appears that the master himself has resurfaced (online, at least). A post on Bobby Friction and Nihal’s messageboard pointed to Talvin Singh’s new website — it’s kind of a pain to navigate, but there is mention of a new studio album in the works titled “AN” for release in the near future. Let’s see what the innovator has in store for us…

My remix of Steve Spacek’s “Dollar” was featured in the February 17 show of Friday Night Sessions on KUSF 90.3 in San Francisco. The show is hosted by Andrew Jervis, head of the mighty Ubiquity Records.

Listen to the show here. Full playlist below.

FEBRUARY 17, 2006
Hosted by: Andrew Jervis (Ubiquity)
Featuring Special Guest Mix by Shawn Lee

Masa Collective - Love is Everywhere (Especial)
Ray Barretto - Acid (Fania)
3 na Massa - Thalma (cd-r)
Shawn Lee - Gerrard Street (Ubiquity)
Steve Spacek - Dollar (Kaushik remix) (CD-r)
Nino Moschella - Better Off (Ubiquity)
Shawn J Period - The Come Back (Rude)
Dudley Perkins - Title Unknown (Stones Throw)
Dena Deadly - 1608 (cd-r)
Bluemind - Stay Alive (cd-r)
Jazztronik - Cannibal Rock (Especial)
Incognito - Show Me Love (Yam Who mix) (Dome)
Radio City - Voices (Ubiquity)
MJ - Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (AJ remix) (Rebtuz)

Greetings to all. Another update. And oh, I just figured out how to add an RSS feed in case you want subscribe to this blog — thanks to Manish at Sepia Mutiny for helping out.

My remix of “Dollar” received 4 out of 5 stars in the “Future Classics” section of Eastern Eye UK.  Eastern Eye is the UK’s most popular and best-known Asian newspaper, with more than 72,000 readers. The review is by Sharnita Athwal of the Shaanti UK club collective, who is also the head of the Shaanti Play record label. Check out their latest release “Fused Rocking Beats Vol. 1.”

LINKS AND STUFF:
Eastern Eye UK
Shaanti UK
Shaanti Play Records
Galaxy Network