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A Roller Coaster Named Justice
Tag: Justice
I recently read a quote from Justice regarding remixes, which the Frenchmen are apparently not too fond of. They stated that “when a song is already good, we can only make it worse.” While there’s some truth to that statement (see: the “Call Me Maybe” remix package), on a broad terms, I couldn’t disagree more. Remixes (yes even the shitty ones) give songs new life. If it’s a modern interpretation to an old track, like Falcon Punch‘s recent single, it both brings an old, forgotten artist back to an audience’s mind while giving the track a completely new vibe. And of course, sometimes a remix just absolutely trump the original and can blow your mind, like the Thin White Duke‘s Best. Remix. Ever.
To be fair to Justice, they were explaining why they turned down reworking a Johnny Cash song–a combination that makes even less sense than Phish remixing Justin Bieber. But their recent album, Audio, Video, Disco was a very mixed bag of tunes, and one that birthed remixes that are far superior to the originals. And that’s why we listen to remixes–to be surprised, and to see if an opinion on a song can in fact change. Plus, it also gives unknown producers a great opportunity to make a splash.
And Mickey just cannonballed onto late summer playlists with his rework of Ultimate Kaos‘ “Casanova.” It’s not a crazy transformation by any means, but a very French Expressy (aka tropically and sexy and handclappy) rework. Even better, it exposed me (and now you) to Ultimate Kaos, the British boy band hybrid of N’SYNC and House of Pain. And who exactly formed the concept behind Ultimate Kaos? None other than Simon Cowell.
American Idol may be the bane of music’s existence. But Mickey and this cascade of guilty pleasure R&B just proved that even Cowell is capable of some good.
Ultimate Kaos – Casanova (Mickey Re-Work)
Bonuses:
Assuming they’ve head these remixes to their own songs (and this remix they did themselves), Gaspard, Xavier, and bossman Pedro would agree that a remix package is not at all a bad thing.
Justice – New Lands (Falcon Remix)
Justice – D.A.N.C.E. (MSTRKRFT Remix) <–throwback special
Justice – Audio, Video, Disco (Mickey Moonlight Reprise)
I’ll admit it did take some getting use to after Cross but I’m really digging the new Justice. They could have easily done the over compressed distortion sound for at least another two albums and few would have complained. Instead they’re reinventing themselves and offering something new. All great artists from the Beatles to Jay-Z have managed to withstand the test of time by finding new ways to express their artistry. It’s a fine line and it’s very hard to do without completely alienating your fan base or simply getting too far away from your identity. Some like it, some don’t but at the end of the day history speaks for itself. Here’s to artist not afraid to develop themselves in the spotlight, enjoy.
There are a few ways to welcome the patriotic weekend that lies ahead. Instead of listing all of them, I have opted to provide you a track that would normally ask you to dance, but instead begs for your happy ears to get happier. This is the perfect blend of two tremendous weekend hits. The lonely french vocals thrown over a powerful guitar line provide the bare essentials for this track. Sometimes in order to recreate a track well, a charming voice and a guitar are all that’s needed. And maybe some finger drumming.
I was all about this track from the moment I pressed play, so I know that you guys will probably agree with me. If you don’t, maybe you’d prefer the D.A.N.C.E. solo re-make? Because that exists too and it’s lovely.
I know ya’ll are ready to get real patriotic for your country this weekend, so I hope these tunes help you get in the right mood!
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Justice – On’n’on (Rick Rubin Remix)
Rick Rubin is legend. His discography is flat out ridiculous, I mean from Jazzy J to Johnny Cash to Justice and that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. Who else can claim such a diverse spectrum? What really makes him special is how authentic his work was regardless of style or genre. He has a way of staying true to the music that very few can do and even fewer can do well. This Justice remix for example is so current, so on point that it might as well had been produced by an 18 year old French kid. Of course then you hear the percussion break down, mature production decisions, perfect vibe and immediately realize this is no rookie, this is a strange and rare balance of everything great, this is Rick Rubin.
I was having a conversion with a close friend about how everyone is either trying to be in the past or in the future yet the hardest thing to do, and to me the most important is to be current. It’s analogous to living in the past or constantly thinking about the future when you should be in the moment. This might sound strange but if you think about it, being current is about as futuristic as one can be. The future though eventually a reality is nothing but a concept, thus what is happening now is the future and you can’t get further than that until you actually get there…
Forever – is composed of nows…” – Emily Dickinson
Living up to the past or future is cool in theory but that’s all it is. If you really want to be in the future learn to keep up with time, enjoy.
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The Asteroids Galaxy Tour et Justice
Last night I had the pleasure of seeing the Asteroids Galaxy Tour play a show at Bowery Ballroom. What I totally didn’t expect, was to fall in love with their opener, She Keeps Bees. A trio I had never heard of, and instantly remembered because of their unique name and 60s retro rock sound, (reminiscent of a bad ass chick singer version of The Black Keys), I was blown away. The lead singer was a swaggy, long-haired chick by the name of Jessica Larrabee, and by the time their set was over, I was both sad and totally in the mood to vibe on some even more positive energy music. Which was exactly what happened. For some reason, I decided to focus on the drummers (in both bands) all night, and I found their timing to be impeccable. Why was this my focus all of a sudden? I don’t really know. Maybe it’s just when certain music really starts to drive your soul, so much so that your entire body is moving in perfect rhythm with what’s going on on-stage, you need to take a step back for a moment and look at the technicalities.
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, (which I’m just going to abbreviate from now because it’s really coming to be a mouthful) was probably best summed up in two words: glittery-gold. In all aspects. The music, band members, audience…I could go on. I loved it and ate up every second of it.
A really cool thing that I noticed was how the drummer from She Keeps Bees, (Andy LaPlant) would hit the symbol and then grab it really quick to mute the sound. Usually that’s done at the end of a song, for a clean finish, as you guys probably know. But he would do that, then hit a couple of other drums, (forgive my poor drummers knowledge and lingo, I can only hope you’re following) so that the sound was similar to something synthy. Definitely something electronic influenced, but so fantastic because the band is the least bit electronic. They’re totally raw and minimal with the bare necessities: a guitarist, a drummer, and a singer.
So I meant to write more about AGT, but sometimes you just have to go with what moves you most. That’s what the experience is. And then re-telling that experience in the best and most accurate way possible, is something that doesn’t need to be mastered — it just needs to be honest. Honesty with oneself, and with ones’ audience is totally key.
Anyways, dig this track recently released from Justice. It’s one of AGT’s bigger songs, and I think Justice does a pretty fabulous job of making it that much more danceable. And sexy bass-y. Funkadelic actually.
I wish I lived in a golden age…
And check out She Keeps Bees website to listen to and download their album, they deserve to be heard. You might want to specifically check out All Or None/Dark Horse, and Vulture.
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – Golden Age (Justice Remix)
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – Major
Cheers beauties,
Ashley
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Justice – Civilization
After releasing their new single as part of the Adidas All In campaign there’s been a huge buzz around the return of the French electro house kings. It seems like the entire world stops whenever Justice releases something new and I love it. In the days before the internet, new album and single releases were the talk of the town. You would be walking down the street and all of a sudden a car drives by playing a new track, you call your friend and ask him if he’s heard it but he hasn’t. Then you would both sit in front of the radio until it got played. These days you hear about a new track, type it in on google and 10 seconds later your in your room listening to it from laptop speakers.I love the ease the internet provides but we’re definitely missing that element of drama and mystery that use to surround releases not so long ago.
Justice has always been heavily influenced by old school Rock & Roll and Civilization is no different. The track starts of like a late 60’s psychedelic rock epic and switches off into that simple and classic Justice sound we’ve all come to love. A lot of Justice fans will probably say this is a little soft compared to their old stuff but I would remind them that it was released as part of an ad campaign so I wouldn’t expect much more like this from the album. Nevertheless, a well produced and exciting banger, enjoy.
I hope ya’ll are in a party mood because today EMPT & BroBible.com announce the first mixtape from new DJ/production group Casey Mendoza, aka myself and Kevin Casey. If you’ve been to one of our Noctambule parties the energy in this tape will bring you back to the debauchery and possibly make you start jumping so be ready to move when you’re listening. Ideal playing time for this tape is no earlier than 11:20 PM or in the gym. If that Rex Ryan / Justice intro doesn’t get you going then you must be a Patriots fan but it’s ok Tom Brady lovers can enjoy the gold too…
Last year, hey we we’re under the radar that’s a good place to be F&^K THAT! The best place to be is when expectations are high, get use to it, it’s always gonna be that way… We don’t give a shit if you give us your best game, we’re gonna give you our best game and we’re gonna beat the f*#k out of you. How’s that? Lets go get it!
If you’ve been here before you know how serious I take entertainment and that intro is exactly how I feel about what Casey Mendoza represents – showtime. We’re here to put on a show no one has seen before, we don’t care if other DJ’s are selling you short cause we’re coming strong. There’s all sorts of blends, mash-ups, mixes happening here with 3 or 4 songs playing simultaneously at times! It’s hard to tell where a song starts and another begins but here’s the tracklist for the curious ones…
Et Musique Pour Tous & BROBIBLE Present: Gold For Breakfast Vol. 1 by caseymendoza
Tracklisting:
1. Intro: Rex Ryan – Hard Knocks Speech / Justice – Genesis / Bill Conti – Going The Distance vs. Mobb Deep – Shook Ones (Casey Mendoza Blend) 2. Fedde Le Grand – Back & Forth (Feat Mr. V) / Steve Aoki – I’m In The House (Feat. Zuper Blahq) 3. Bombs Away – Big Booty Bitches / Kid Cudi – Embrace The Martian (Round Table Knights Remix) / Pursuit of Happiness (Them Jeans Remix) 4. Tiga – Beep Beep Beep (Crookers Remix) / Richard Vission & Static Revenger starring Luciana – I Like That (Original Mix) 5. Llyod Banks – Beamer, Benz, or Bentley (Scene Uptempo Remix) / Snoop Dogg – I Wanna Rock B-More Version) 6. Snoop Dogg – I Wanna Rock (Original) / Fat Joe – Slow Down (Ha Ha) / Snoop Dogg – Drop It Like It’s Hot 7. Slick Rick – La Di Da Di / Red Cafe – Hottest In The Hood 8. Jay-Z – 99 Problems / Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Can’t Hot 9. Kanye West – Christian Dior Denim Flow 10. Estelle – I Can Be A Freak / Chemical Brothers – Do It Again / Hyper Crush – Ayo ( Prod. By Diplo ) / Katie Perry – California Gurls [Inner Party System Remix Edit] 11. Stromae – Alors On Danse (Kanye West Remix) / Boys Noize – Oh! (A-Trak Remix) / Drake – Over 12. Drake – Forever / Tweet – Oops (Oh My) (feat. Milly Elliot) / Kanye West – Power 13. Outro: Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy vs. DJ Quicksilva (Casey Mendoza Blend) / Vato – Speaking In Tounges / Red Cafe – I’m Ill / J.R. Writer – Go Cinderella / 9 (Elijah Wood) – “What Happens Next?”
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Keedz – Stand On The Word
I remember when this track came out, I think it was summer of ’08 and there were all these conspiracy theories about Keedz being Justice in disguise etc. There’s no question this track was inspired by the French duo’s sample heavy dance style but weather or not Gaspard and Xavier are playing one big trick on everyone is inconsequential. The production on this track is so phenomenal that it’s a very special joint regardless of who made it. The sample used in this records is an ’80s gospel song performed by The Joubert Singers. The original Stand On The Word was recorded live in the First Baptist Church in Crown Heights, NYC in 1982, fresh. From communion to club, enjoy.
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Welcome to The Decade
I believe he’s too humble and shy to admit it, since it don’t need more attention than it already gets, but it was EMPT’s first birthday last november, n the sneaky site thought we wouldn’t notice. Properly set up with a spanking brand new server, EMPT has been bigger than ever, but smaller than it will be tomorrow.
So in honor to both the new year and our “EMPT is WE” philosophy, we write this post. I asked people from all over the globe to write a short review of their New Year’s eve experience in order to give you, the sine qua non of EMPT, a post lived by the people, written by the people and enjoyed by the people. Here is the result:
Daft Punk – Around The World (Kid Dub Remix)
Many of the people I emailed to write for this post replied the same thing: I didn’t do much on New Year’s. It was quite low key. Several messages along those lines lead to a personal epiphany: Are we finally reaching a moment in evolution where youngsters value the relaxed company of family and elderly relatives over a messy dressy tits-up celebration? Well, in my case, I’ve hit that point.
I’ve spent most of my “vacation” working my tiny penny-sized ass off for the epic cause that is our upcoming company. This meant I had less, if any time left to spend with my family. This being the case, I cancelled my trip to Acapunk (Acapulco for the layman) and decided to spend New Year’s with the family. A relaxed fire lit night with my grandmother and Co. has definitely been the most chilled celebration yet. Before my cousins dragged me out to a lush lounge party, that ended up being my cousin-in-law drinking me into a coma, I got a sober chance to warm up the heart beat by bobbing my head to what I believe is the best, if not the only, proper remix of a Daft Punk hit. Just when you thought Around The World could not get any better than their Alive version, in comes Kid Dub and drops his flapping fish. The dynamics of this song are damn straight crazy. I remember when I was leaving JFK airport, I was dancing my way across the terminal to this tune. Hope it has the same effect on the rest of the family.
As the clock ticked its skinny ruthless hand to twelve, my family and I shifted endlessly between two TV broadcasts: the official countdown from El Angel, Mexico City, and MTV2, showing the revolutionary 15 min. music video to Thriller. What a better way to end the year than to enjoy one of the King’s many gems! Well, in mexico, grandmother has shotgun over everything. So obviously, the final seconds focused on the official count down. Have it your way granny. In any case, ’twas an epic countdown all in all. Enjoy – JCOS, Cuernava, Mx.