James's Top 5 Remixes of 2008

Been a long time. Shouldn't have left you etc...

I shall make up for it with my top five remixes of 2008.

1) M.I.A. - Paper Planes (DFA Remix)

I first heard this while producing for the Analogue show on Bay Radio early in 2008. I cannot thank Graham enough. This funky fun remix is typical of James Murphy and DFA and for it to take my favourite song off my favourite album of 2007 and turn it into something new but equally awesome assures it my top spot for 2008.

2) Metronomy - Thing For Me (Breakbot Remix)

Over the last two years Metronomy has consistently impressed me and been an act I've taken to my heart. The stripped down sound lends it self so well to the remix/mashup genre and the amount of remixes alone from Nights Out could fill its own blog post - however this Breakbot remix is a lovely throwback to 70s soul (another of my obsessions) and stands out.

3) Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes (XXXChange Remix)

A good test of a remix is how it holds up to the original and if it can surpass it. XXXChange Remix of L.E.S. Artistes does exactly that and when you consider how good Santogold's self titled album of electro pop gold is then this is a sure sign of a fantastic remix.

4) Yo! Majesty - Club Action (Futurecop! Remix)

Another act introduced to me by Graham this time via this here blog. Yo! Majesty seem to be the answer to the question people have been asking since Salt and Pepper on released Best Of's. About time too as lesbian hip-hop never sounded so good. This remix of Club Action is typical of Futurecop! who seems to be permanently stuck in an Atari 5200 taking all things current into some crazy 80s vortex. 

5) Girl Talk - Still Here

From one of my albums of the year, Feed The Animals, this is just one track of fourteen in a seamlessly stitched mashup marathon. Girl Talk's effortless splicing of Procul Harlem, Blackstreet, Kanye West, The Band, Ace of Base and the theme from Footloose (among others) all within one track caters for those who like their music Attention Deficit Friendly.

I could have been one of the most notorious..

I went out last night, and as I burned it up in the back streets of Soho (on the lovely little hotbox hidden gem that is White Heat's dance floor) there was one song on my mind, Santogold's 'Creator'. Now, I know this has been around for a while, but it's not as well known as it should be, it's just such a good tune to dance too -wicked rhythm (-IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BEAT IN MY BOOKS). I was even lucky enough to see them play this out live in Fabric no less - with it's renowned sound system it sounded so damn fine.

Santogold - Creator

Now the real reason I was in Fabric was to see Justice/ Busy P/ Goose (yes, yes the chem bro's were headlining, but I just couldn't resist seeing the lovely French duo and the rest of the Ed Banger crew that were floating around) and thus spent most of the night getting a bit grimey in room 3. So as I left White Heat in the early hours of the morn this song managed to find it's way into my head, and it's still going strong now..

Sebastien Tellier (Mr Oizo, SebastiAn) - Chivers As A Female

However, just like two dj's fighting over the decks, the above mentioned song has been hustling for head time play, it's rival being this classic tune which I stumbled upon when looking through my brother's music collection (he's got a better taste in music than I give him credit for) - enjoy

Turbulence - Notorious

(Short post yeah? I just had to get these tracks off my chest, or should that be out of my head?)

One last thing before I go, got sent this link earlier... daft hands - now I just have to wait and see if anyone's going to try and top it, say with firestarter (I don't know how it would work, but that's for someone else to deal with ;)

ellie love

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