My homies over at Soulbounce raised the concern that the current wave of retro soul is just as trendy as that Godawful inescapable auto-tune madness I’m confronted with every time I flip on 99 Jamz here in Miami.
I’m sorry, friends who are fans…but I can snap my fingaz to T-Pain only so much.
I admit, retro music is a trend I’m unlikely to get sick of. I listen to Amy Winehouse less and less — I loved her so much when she debuted Stateside, but I hate watching so much talent literally go to waste, and it’s gotten to the point where I just can’t even listen to Back to Black without thinking about the hot mess she is today. But picking up the retro baton and racing away with it are Raphael Saadiq — I love Love That Girl, Solange — I decided that I do like I Decided, and VH1 darling Duffy.
I figured it was only a matter of time before the retro movement came full circle. So last week I’m cruising in my Cruiser, listening to my favorite Miami pirate station, when I hear this.
And I think — is that DIANA? OMG. This Supremes remix has been getting HEAVY rotation on local pirate reggae stations, and it combines two genres I’m addicted to — vintage soul and vintage reggae. Love it.
Apparently the remix is by talented French DJ I-Plant — whose MySpace page is called Black Soul Remix, and he’s got a free download of his latest remixes, which includes Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, and Michael Jackson inna reggae stylee. Some work better than others, but I’m grooving to it and thought you might too. A Throwback Thursday with a twist. Enjoy, bellas and fellas!
I am in LOVE with this stuff! I am creating a morning mix on my iPod as I type so I can listen while I’m sitting in the parking lot that is DC traffic on my way in to work tomorrow morning.
Oooh I’m loving this reggae/vintage soul stuff. On a related note:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYjz5SpqXs8
Not as inspired as DJ I-Plant, but still fun trip on the wayback machine.
Can someone clear something up for me? I keep hearing Duffy compared to Dusty Springfield. Based on that UBIQUITOUS “Mercy” song, I don’t get it. Does she have more range than that nasally single would suggest?
Also, remember we’ve got Beyonce-as-Etta– still headscratching over that casting– coming at us soon, so who knows if there’s some vintage-soul covers from her in the future.
Bella, Bella!! You’re three for three in the Black Weblog Awards! And well-deserved wins! Congratulations!
Great song, and I agree that vintage retro or even the retro revival is one that is for keeps. It is music that strikes a chord in us which no amount of Techno can.
Duffy is also a firm favourite of mine, but more so is the woman who can be referred to as her retro-heartbroken-grandmother. Dusty Springfield – her greatest hits collection will have you thinking, “hell no! SHE made this song? The ones that I know SO well and have been remade SO many times by mostly less than talented artists??” The look of love… is in your eyes… ladada..
I know you’ll have a post up later today celebrating but I had to be among the first to wish you a MAJOR CONGRATS for all of your BWA nods!!! I am SO happy for you. Very well deserved! We are loving what you do over here and look forward to what else is in store. *hugs*
eeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!
I was on the phone with the fam in Trini, Vivrant Thang. My parents are in Tobago so I’m about to interrupt their vacation with some big news!!! Thanks so much for your congratulations, and hugs right back atcha!!
We gotta meet up IRL for cocktails someday, I swear…
=)
Holy crap. What a bad azz mix. Thanks for sharing!
Hi August 29 was 50th birthday of Michael Jackson – could you do a post on his music and link it to which are your readers’ favourite songs even if it was while he was with his siblings? I like “Thriller”, “Man in the Mirror” and “Ben.” Thanks
avid reader, first time posting… awesome mix! I love this…
never heard of this mix, great find!!