Awakening, the second installment in the EarthRise SoundSystem Remix Project, represents the dance floor side of things. The EP kicks off with legendary New York City DJ Nickodemus raising the elevation on ‘Always,’ originally a downtempo track featuring vocalist Renata Youngblood. The Turntables on the Hudson and Wonderwheel Recordings founder turns up the bass and adds serious swing while creating a remix that’s destined to warm up DJ sets worldwide. Nickodemus is a global traveler with a trademark aesthetic that’s heard from the very first note on this beautiful cut.
Duke Mushroom steps up to remix ‘Rock Beats Paper,’ the title track from EarthRise’s last album. The Afrobeat original—featuring vocalists Kevin Mambo (who played Fela Kuti in the Broadway musical, Fela!) and Kirtan Soul singer C.C. White (Barry White’s niece)—is taken up a notch with a Euro House vibe. Mushroom’s incredibly percussive ear, not to mention hands (he was a founding member of Stomp), comes alive on this upbeat banger with the spirit of gospel.
‘Intention,’ EarthRise’s biggest hit to date from their debut, The Yoga Sessions, is turned up roughly sixty BPM by New York City DJs and producers deejaysoul & don_cerati. Morley’s ambient vocals become the perfect accompaniment for a conga-driven tribal house stomper perfect for peak hour sets.
The end of the night comes with Mark Basta’s 4aMDMA remix of ‘Daylight as Sunset,’ featuring Lucy Woodward on vocals. Basta cut his teeth spinning vinyl at Long Island’s famed Caffeine parties in the early nineties. A house lover and producer, his deep groove is the most atmospheric on the EP. The dance floor might be cooling off a bit, but in no way is it over with this bass-driven gem.
credits
released December 4, 2015
Executive Producer: Joel Davis
Co-executive Producers: Derek Beres & David Schommer