Motown Remixed

[Pete S]

You lot heard this yet? I didn't like it at all.

[Dave Moore]

Shite. (Was going to put imo after this comment but can't bring myself to do it. It's shite).

Regards,

Dave

www.hitsvillesoulclub.com

[Guest lifeandsoul]

there's an atlantic remix album as well, and some of that is well........wierd.

I know its outside the northen boundaries but check what they've done to Pick up the pieces.

[Guest rachel]

Only heard a few of them...

Eddie Kendricks - crap

Marvin Gaye - alright

Undisputed Truth - great

Don't think I could sit through the whole CD though!

[Pete S]

Only heard a few of them...

Eddie Kendricks - crap

Marvin Gaye - alright

Undisputed Truth - great

Don't think I could sit through the whole CD though!

link

Rach the whole cd is up to listen to on their official site - https://www.motownremixed.com/

[vnicepce]

whole cd is up to listen to on their official site - https://www.motownremixed.com/

link

.....I did listen to most of the tracks (if that is the correct term!) the only bearable one was the Undisputed Truth' track

..there is nothing like setting loose some charlie, who then tries to turn the Supremes into their Modern Day equivalent (R&

..has anyone lost the will to live, during those interminable intros, by these pretentious 'track twiddlers'?

[Guest Karen Heath]

I have the Marvin Gaye and really like it but there you go! Don't like the others at all so I am ALMOST in agreement. Does anyone else like it?......... Anyone?

[Guest]

stupendidly crap!

[Guest Karen Heath]

stupendidly crap!

link

You're not sure then Kenny?

[Gary]

I have the Marvin Gaye and really like it but there you go! Don't like the others at all so I am ALMOST in agreement. Does anyone else like it?......... Anyone?

link

Marvin Gaye one is OK though.

Tears of a clown is particularly bad IMO.

Edited May 26, 2005 by Gary

[stomper45]

think Marvin one good 2 stepper now, sure b played in modern rooms, album aimed at young american hiphoppers, who knows some might delve back to earlier artiste stuff

danny d

[Petebangor]

think Marvin one good 2 stepper now, sure b played in modern rooms, album aimed at young american hiphoppers, who knows some might delve back to earlier artiste stuff

danny d

link

Marvin Gaye has been getting plays for over 6 months in the Modern Rooms (naughty internet download )

The rest of it leaves me a bit cold

Pete

[mischief]

What market is the album aimed at.

If you like motown its pants, and I imagine if your into modern day, chart soul/r'n'b its also pants. So I reckon its aimed at all them ladies that go arobics, you know the ones;- snide Gucci bags and think there still 25.

"I heard it through the grapevine" is the backing music someone playing the spoons?

[Guest Karen Heath]

What market is the album aimed at.

If you like motown its pants, and I imagine if your into modern day, chart soul/r'n'b its also pants. So I reckon its aimed at all them ladies that go arobics, you know the ones;-  snide Gucci bags and think there still 25.

"I heard it through the grapevine" is the backing music someone playing the spoons?

link

"Snide Gucci bags"-that made me really laugh. By owning up to liking the Marvin Gaye one, I've inadvertently slotted myself into a terrible category! Let me redeem myself ever so slightly by pointing out I didn't buy the CD, someone gave me the Marvin on a 12" (and I dislike the others immensely.)

It has been popular on the modern scene.......you 60's only-ers can now cite this example as indicative of the very reason you hate modern. I'm just playing into your hands!!!

[Guest dundeedavie]

i love the marvin gaye one but then i did buy it a while ago .....i also like the temptations " papa......" undisputed track is cool too .( working my way through them lolol)

the remix of war makes me want to punch the remixer very hard about the face for a prolonged time

Davie

[jazzyjas]

REALLY disappointed about the CD overall . There a couple of decent producers on here as far as doing their own work, but this stuff just doesn't cut it for me. I didn't mind the Marvin Gaye all that much and the producer who did the Supremes remix is probably the most creative and the only one with any trace of musical talent. Still doesn't change the fact that I really didn't get into that one either.

The remix that offended me the most was "Mary Jane". It was extra corny like some "down-south" ghetto-ass L'il Jon beats. Too right about the intros too. Not one song comes on strong like the true spirit of Motown recordings. They all take forever to build. You've already lost interest before they get it going, which dissapoints again.

Thumbs Down!

KTF

Jas

[jocko]

Reading above I probably like this more than most so far, however I listen to quite a bit of contemporary soul/house (and even a little hip hop but dont tell anyone!) as well so was more keen to understand what some modern remixers could do. From that point although I think there are some worthy points to it have to agree with Jason that the overall result is not as good as I feel it could have been.

I do think there are some really good moments on it the Marvin Gaye, possibly helped by the quality of the song, the Stevie Wonder where I feel they have tried to something different with the song, changing its mood which to me is the point of any remix, the Diana Ross track as I feel by stripping it down to her voice only almost makes her sound soulful, it certainly makes the most of what talent she has, the Undisputed Truth is great, again making the original vocals stand out more, and sorry Davie but I really like the Edwin Starr War, as like the Marvin Gaye I think this could be played out now (at more contemporary nights) and they have put some thought into how they could change the mood of the record, very difficult given te subject of the song.

Appreciate this is not for everyone but glad I bought it, worth a risk if you like some newer stuff, however havent gone back and listened to originals again, not sure if that would change my view!

Cheers

Jock

PS There is an Atlantic one, which I really like but is very different from above in its mostly 80's material, will do full review of that elsewhere if any interest.

[Mike]

Reading above I probably like this more than most so far, however I listen to quite a bit of contemporary soul/house (and even a little hip hop but dont tell anyone!) as well so was more keen to understand what some modern remixers could do. From that point although I think there are some worthy points to it have to agree with Jason that the overall result is not as good as I feel it could have been.

I do think there are some really good moments on it the Marvin Gaye, possibly helped by the quality of the song, the Stevie Wonder where I feel they have tried to something different with the song, changing its mood which to me is the point of any remix, the Diana Ross track as I feel by stripping it down to her voice only almost makes her sound soulful, it certainly makes the most of what talent she has, the Undisputed Truth is great, again making the original vocals stand out more, and sorry Davie but I really like the Edwin Starr War, as like the Marvin Gaye I think this could be played out now (at more contemporary nights) and they have put some thought into how they could change the mood of the record, very difficult given te subject of the song.

Appreciate this is not for everyone but glad I bought it, worth a risk if you like some newer stuff, however havent gone back and listened to originals again, not sure if that would change my view!

Cheers

Jock

PS There is an Atlantic one, which I really like but is very different from above in its mostly 80's material, will do full review of that elsewhere if any interest.

link

yep be interested in reading review jocko

theres another "remix" doing rounds isnt there ?, think may be curtis based ?

ta for the link pete, listened to all

only a couple of tracks really do anything for me, think thats cause its more the backing than the structure thats different

wonder how its going saleswise?

[Guest lifeandsoul]

https://www.lifeandsoulpromotions.co.uk/motown.htm

https://www.lifeandsoulpromotions.co.uk/motown.htm

[Mike]

https://www.lifeandsoulpromotions.co.uk/motown.htm

https://www.lifeandsoulpromotions.co.uk/motown.htm

link

whats this?

getting very close to spam here mate

two identical links to a webpage of brief motown reviews

no explanation, no description

please explain

[Guest lifeandsoul]

https://www.lifeandsoulpromotions.net/reissues.html

Whoops - one of the links was supposed to be this.

Sorry if this was a problem - i thought it would be self explanatory, it perhaps might have been if the links were right! - and i didn't have time to explain.

Basically this thread has talked about two recent mix Cd's - the links were supposed to go to respective reviews of each CD that I had done on my own site.

Supposed to be informative not spam, if construed otherwise sorry.

[Mike]

https://www.lifeandsoulpromotions.net/reissues.html

Whoops - one of the links was supposed to be this.

Sorry if this was a problem - i thought it would be self explanatory, it perhaps might have been if the links were right! - and i didn't have time to explain.

Basically this thread has talked about two recent mix Cd's - the links were supposed to go to respective reviews of each CD that I had done on my own site.

Supposed to be informative not spam, if construed otherwise sorry.

link

no problems

just the lack of words and duplication had left me scratching my head

always welcome links to informative sites and articles

thanks for clearing it up

ta

mike

[Mike]

here's the skinny on the curtis remix project, think out a few months ago

did dip into a couple of online clips but memory says didnt do enough to me to go deeper

did anyone give it a go

thumbs up or down ?

MAYFIELD: REMIXED - THE CURTIS MAYFIELD COLLECTION includes hip-hop hero Grandmaster Flash giving the old-school treatment to The Impressions' hit "We're A Winner." Pioneering New York City house music DJ Louie Vega turns "Superfly" into a heady club classic with muffled backbeats, Latin percussion, and trippy synthesizers. Renowned keyboard player, remixer, and producer Eric Kupper ties Mayfield's beautiful falsetto melody on "Move On Up" to an insistent rhythm. King Britt evokes the bleak urban tale of "Little Child Runnin' Wild" with a languid beat and a claustrophobic wall of sound. Solo artist and Beastie Boy collaborator MIXMASTERMIKE deconstructs Mayfield's "Pusherman" by adding a mechanical sheen and daredevil scratching to the funk classic. Grammy í…¡-winner Maurice Joshua's Nu Soul Mix of "(Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go," and "People Get Ready" as reinterpreted by StoneBridge among the other transcendent tracks included on the album.

"One of the reasons to do this remix album was to have Curtis legacy continue on to yet another generation," says executive producer Ron Weisner. "When you stop and reflect on a man of integrity, principle, and true creative genius, it is important to keep his words and music alive."

"In assembling this all-star team of musical spin doctors around the world," says the album's co-executive producer, Brad LeBeau, "it is my hope that the very same music that had such a profound effect on my youth will be rediscovered and appreciated today."

Mayfield's career was cut tragically short in 1990 when a lighting rig collapsed on him during a concert in Brooklyn, leaving him a quadriplegic. Mayfield -- the soulful poet laureate whose timeless music, courage, and strength inspired countless fans -- died in 1999 at the age of 57, a few months after his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With the release of MAYFIELD: REMIXED - THE CURTIS MAYFIELD COLLECTION five years after Mayfield's death, it's clear that the work of this musical prophet continues to resonate with a new generation of listeners and performers.

MAYFIELD: REMIXED - THE CURTIS MAYFIELD COLLECTION Tracklist:

1. Superfly (Little Louie Vega EOL Mix)

2. Do Do Wap Is Strong In Here (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit)

3. Move On Up (Eric Kupper Vocal Mix)

4. We're A Winner (Grandmaster Flash Remix) - The Impressions

5. Little Child Runnin' Wild (King Britt Scuba Mix)

6. Freddie's Dead (Theme From "Superfly") (Blaze Roots DJ Mix)

7. (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go (Maurice Joshua Nu Soul Mix)

8. We Got To Have Peace (Eddie Baez Laid Back Mix)

9. People Get Ready (StoneBridge Club Remix) - The Impressions

10. Pusherman (MIXMASTERMIKE Pusher's Nephew Mix)

from press release at

https://www.wsm-us.com/media/MediaPRDetail.lasso?Number=289

[Guest lifeandsoul]

Just got news from Henry Stone of another remix!

"The original Ray Charles recording of "Walkin' and Talkin'" that was released on Henry Stone's Rockin Records label in the 1950's is being brought into the 21st Century with a great dance remix by Christian Dio, one of the industry's top mixers. Dio has mixed for artists as Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys and Angie Stone.

While veteran music men Sam Weiss and Henry Stone were sunning themselves in Florida, their sons, Joe Stone and Michael Weiss, were brought together by record industry A&R man Hosh Gureli. They joined forces and organized this great project.

The remix will be released on Nervous Records for worldwide distribution. Look for this groundbreaking track to hit the streets immediately."

[Guest]

I think it's interesting that the modern soul lot have picked up on the Marvin Gaye track. It takes everything thats good about the original (which is sex on vinyl) leaves Marvin's voice on it and turns the rest of it into a below average 80's album track or cash in soundalike of 'Risin' To The Top'. But to hear some people talk about it and the amount of plays its getting you'd think it was something amazing. It's piss poor and pointless in my opinion.

[Guest dodger]

I think it's interesting that the modern soul lot have picked up on the Marvin Gaye track. It takes everything thats good about the original (which is sex on vinyl) leaves Marvin's voice on it and turns the rest of  it into a below average 80's album track or cash in soundalike of 'Risin' To The Top'. But to hear some people talk about it and the amount of plays its getting you'd think it was something amazing. It's piss poor and pointless in my opinion.

link

Somewhat like your criticism of this record.

[Petebangor]

I think it's interesting that the modern soul lot have picked up on the Marvin Gaye track. It takes everything thats good about the original (which is sex on vinyl) leaves Marvin's voice on it and turns the rest of  it into a below average 80's album track or cash in soundalike of 'Risin' To The Top'. But to hear some people talk about it and the amount of plays its getting you'd think it was something amazing. It's piss poor and pointless in my opinion.

link

There's obviously 2 remixes of this then Simon,because I've just played the remix I have 3 times and I really can't find a likeness to 'Rising To the Top' unless you class any mid tempo track with a bassline as the same as 'Rising To The Top'???

The whole point of Motown remixed,as has been mentioned on an earlier thread,was to introduce a new generation to Motown sounds. 'Let's Get it On' is doing exactly that,getting lot's of plays,hopefully crossing over into the RnB/Nu Soul club's.Raising the profile of Motown,getting the younger generation to seek out the original versions.

If I don't like a record or topic that is getting discussed on here.I generally ignore it.I don't tend to jump in saying it's piss poor,cos that would be pointless in my opinion

Unless of course it was 'Peanut Duck' Now that is piss poor and pointless

Pete

[Daved]

I got the CD yesterday and I quite like it. If nothing else, it's made me re-appreciate (if there's such a word) how good the originals are - particularly "Keep On' Truckin'"

[Guest lifeandsoul]

And there was me dissing the Atlantiquity one, but I played the Donny Hathaway track 'out' last night and it sounded alright

[Pete S]

Unless of course it was 'Peanut Duck'    Now that is piss poor and pointless

Pete

link

Peanut Duck is a soulful masterpiece compared to this selection of shite

[Guest]

Hmmmm.... I reviewed the CD for 'manifesto' and said there I thought it was aimed at a new market. But I'm still surprised at the attention it's getting. It's a bit like kareoke I suppose - familiar songs, a bit of nostalgia for the past glories. Shame there's not as much support for new product. And I guess if you're playing out 'modern' stuff (there's that word 'modern' again - can remixes of thirty year old tracks be considered 'modern'?) you have to be playing this stuff or the sheep will bleat. Oh, and thanks for your reply Rog - witty!

Here's the 'manifesto' reveiw

MOTOWN REMIXED

"This project, due in the shops June 6th has been the subject of much speculation in the Motown and Soul circles. Advance copies of the Marvin Gaye track hit the Modern Soul dancefloors and the reaction has been good. So here's the full album. 14 tracks of Motown tracks remixed by some big fashionable deejays and remixers and drawn from a period covering 1966 -1975, some more familiar than others and arguably tracks that in some cases might mean more to the US audience than the UK. So whats the selling point? The songs, mixers, artists, what? Well what we have here is 14 great Motown songs refreshed and remixed and that, hopefully will give the under twenty fives the chance to hear great, classic timeless music in a new setting and one that is more accessable to their ears. Some work better than others. Tom Moultons work on "Stoned Love" doesn't stray too far from the original, whereas Hank Shocklee's work on Glady's "Neither One Of Us " shows respect to the original but adds something to it's beauty. I wish could say the same about the other Gladys track on display though. The slowing down of Diana Ross and The Supremes 'My World Is Empty Without You' shows a real imagination at work (although Marsha Hunts reading does the same thing) and I love it and the Gladys track most on the album. Of course most readers here will know the originals and it's difficult when you're comparing. Therefore purists will quite resonably argue that they don't need to be tampered with but that argument misses the point. Some of these tracks are nearly forty years old and technology has moved on. You couldn't play the original 1973 version of 'Keep On Truckin" to a club full of eighteen year olds but these remixed versions may well get their attention and that can only be a good thing because they may go back and appreciate the talent that Eddie was, that Edwin was, that Marvin, Smokey, Gladys and so many others in the Motown galaxy were. Plus it might give them the idea that a writing melody is isn't a crime ! Overall I think the ballads work best here, but its an interesting project and one you need to hear and make your own mind up."

[Guest Karen Heath]

I have already said earlier in this thread that I like the Marvin Gaye one, (to some derision!) Was listening to Radio 4 just now (post The Archers) and was surprised to hear it. The presenter and Stuart Maconie were discussing the Cd and its merits/bad points. They weren't very impressed!

[Guest]

Hmmmm.... I reviewed the CD for 'manifesto' and said there I thought it was aimed at a new market. But I'm still surprised at the attention it's getting. It's a bit like kareoke I suppose - familiar songs, a bit of nostalgia for the past glories. Shame there's not as much support for new product. And I guess if you're playing out 'modern' stuff (there's that word 'modern' again - can remixes of thirty year old tracks be considered 'modern'?)  you have to be playing this stuff or the sheep will bleat. Oh, and thanks for your reply Rog - witty! 

Here's the 'manifesto' reveiw

Hi simon

Your review was reasonably non inflamitory

and i have seen the 45s you review in manifesto

they tend to be reasonably pleasent 70s northern orientated sounds

I have been reading reviews on current releases since the mid 70s

and i know you have to get into the head of the reviewer to really understand

what they are saying.

I notice you dont much like the marvin gaye remix , and it got me thinking

knowing that this subject is awkward and

I personally wouldnt know where to start writing a review for an unknown audience

do you feel you listen to this type of music

enough to review it on a contemporary level ,keeping in mind the feel of the type of room it would be played in

or do you aim to review them from the perspective of a 70s northern reviewer , keeping focus that the style you review from stems from 30 years ago

on the northern scene, rather than tunes by say Bobbi Humphrey or Patrice Rushen

or do you honestly review from a perspective that your readers are mainly into 60s and some 70s northern

I guess the question i am asking is who do you see as your target readership

[Guest dodger]

I guess the question i am asking is who do you see as your target readership

link

Does any reviewer write reviews with a target audience in mind these days? It's usually just a case of writing about a track and giving an opinion, some will agree and others will disagree, and that's about it. Simon writing a review of or giving an opinion of a record like the Marvin Gaye remix biggie is tantamount to me doing the same thing about a northern soul record. Nobody into northern soul would take a blind bit of notice of what I said. Know wo' a mean?

[Guest]

Blimey !

The 'manifesto' Metropolitan Soul column is based on UK releases and the intention was, and still is to concentrate on tracks that either only got a 7" or 12" release in the UK (or maybe more to the point didn't get a 7" or 12" in the U.S. ) or were release in the U.K. before a US single release. My personal choice is uptempo stuff generally, so that tends to mean either Northern or Disco tempo stuff gets a mention.

[Guest]

Blimey !

The 'manifesto' Metropolitan Soul column is based on UK releases and the intention was, and still is to concentrate on tracks that either only got a 7" or 12" release in the UK (or maybe more to the point didn't get a 7" or 12" in the U.S. ) or were release in the U.K. before a US single release. My personal choice is uptempo stuff generally, so that tends to mean either Northern or Disco tempo stuff gets a mention.

link

Hi Simon

Sorry wasnt trying to cause any offence

Its just that the marvin remix is a track ive heard out quite alot

and appears to be popular with the punters so i didnt understand the comments

I guess you answered my question, the track dosnt appeal to

a northern soul audience rather than being 'piss poor' from any

musical perspective

[pikeys dog]

Back on topic....

Being a bit of a Motown fan at heart, I've been on the site and listened to every track on there.

In conclusion, I can only say, what a steaming pile of dogshit.

Completely pointless exercise in my opinion.

[Guest]

No offense taken Catskill- as far as I can see there was nothing to be offended by in your post. My reveiw of the album is what I think is fair and is my honest opinion. It's easy to say you don't like something outright, less easy to try and be objective about it. I hope I acheived the latter.

But regards the Marvin Gaye track, it is obviously a sensitive subject which surprises me. I suspect I've heard more than one mix- the album mix (obviously) and the three of four times I've heard it out may well have been a different mix. From what I can hear, it takes away what is special about the original exept the voice, melody and song. But it couldn't really do anything else -you cannot improve on perfection. I've long gone past the point where I get upset by bad cover versions or precious about remixes and I also know that if someone offered me money to remix something, that if the money were enough I would take it, so no disrespect to the remixers.

I would just rather hear new music with at least some of the power and beauty of Marvin's original track. And for that to happen the big companies need to invest in SOUL music not dance music. IMO the remix reduces what is a superlative and timeless Soul classic into something aimed purely at the dancefloors.

The last line of the review says-

"..... its an interesting project and one you need to hear and make your own mind up."

I don't think I can say any more really.

[Jerry Hipkiss]

Motown completists alert...received a promo this week of Gladys Knight "Grapevine"/Edwin Starr "War" remixes from the album, cat. number is Motown Flo-Mo 1.

Conclusions - the Edwin mix is passable, but still the Marvin one is the only one I rate from the album - probably because I never held the original as sacred, unlike some of the other tracks that have been ruined!

Hippo.

[Guest mattmale]

Signed Sealed Delivered is the worst. A plodding mess.

The advert at the bottom for music production software was interesting 'mix your own motown' just shows any talentless twat can do this sort of thing.

Even me