The Art of Transformation 2: Track by Track.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Let me start off by explaining that "The Art of Transformation 2" isn't a various artist album really. It's all me under different names, like the old days of Detroit Techno. Each name is a different musical style. Click bolded song titles to listen.
Snowblinder. Alan D. Oldham.
An ambient intro I came up with. When it snowed heavily the other week, I just put this on and stared out the window.
Collateral. Detroitrocketscience.
Inspired by the Michael Mann film of the same name (2004). Imagine a taxicab rolling through different parts of L.A. with this in the background. The Detroitrocketscience stuff is supposed to be a hybrid of minimalism and soundtrack elements.
Elektrofive (DJ K-1 Remake). The Neon Sex Fiend.
"Elektrofive" was one of the first tracks I made after I moved to Chicago. I did vocals and lyrics, too. Miles Christian (aka Mauser) helped me process the vocals. I asked the great Keith Tucker of Aux 88 for a remix. He's been super-cool as long as I can remember and I have always wanted to work with him. He did a great job.
Shibuya Vampire Club. The Inside featuring LadyParasyte.
There's a scene in the first "Blade" (1998) where he goes in a vampire club and there are two Japanese schoolgirls on stage rapping. Cross that with Kanye West's first album, and the current ringtone fever and you've got this track. Vocals and lyrics are by Kim aka LadyParasyte, a local Chicago artist from the Goth/Industrial scene. She brings a Tom Tom Club flavor to the vocals that I didn't expect. I would never be able to make stuff like this if I still lived in Detroit.
Jackie Blue. The Inside vs. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
"Jackie Blue" is one of my all-time favorite '70s tunes. They used to play it on CKLW-AM when I was a kid (dating me, I know). I had been humming the song for over a month, so I decided to make my own version of it, which I also sang on. The "Super Smooth Sounds of the '70s" bit was inspired by the movies "Reservoir Dogs," "Talk To Me" and my own past as a radio DJ.
I Ching. Detroitrocketscience.
More "Collateral" action. Can you tell I liked that movie? Tom and Jamie were the shit.
Marlow. Alan D. Oldham.
Inspired by the movie "30 Days of Night." Marlow was the name of the lead vampire played by Danny Huston. The beeping is a lone distress signal that nobody hears.
Underwater. DJ T-1000.
An old track I did for "A Pure Sonik Evening" that nobody paid attention to. One of my all-time favorites. Everything was 135-140 bpm back then, so it got lost in the sauce.
Berlin. DJ T-1000.
Thanks to Tresor, who recently re-released this on mp3, I'm getting a little traction off this track now. Originally found on "Progress."
Contempt. DJ T-1000.
From "Neutra." Inspired by my experiences in Detroit around 2002 or so that led me to eventually leave the place for good.
