Heads We Dance: Favourite Remix #2
Becky is probably the biggest Wham! fan known to man. We're not joking.
Posted 1st September 2009, 1:28pm in Features, by Heads We Dance
Wham! vs Digitalism - 'Ray Of Zdarlight' (The Avalanches Remix)Mash-ups are always a bit hit and miss. The idea of throwing-together two completely unrelated tracks can be fantastic (the 2 Many DJs mix of 10cc with Destiny's Child springs to mind) but can also sound far too contrived to be enjoyable. Back in about 2001 indie clubs were awash with 'A Stroke of Genie-us' and the Radio Soulwax album but the whole thing seemed to fall out of favour as increasingly "ironic" and musically ill-fitting mash-ups appeared. It therefore seemed out of step when The Avalanches' mash-up of Wham!'s 'Ray Of Sunshine' and Digitalism's 'Zdarlight' made it's way onto blogs in 2007.
Thankfully 'Ray Of Zdarlight' is a return to the irreverent approach taken by the best mash-up artists such as 2 Many DJs and the KLF. At the time Digitalism, along with Justice, were hailed as the saviours of modern electro. The Avalanches' response was to take Digitalism's breakthrough hit and splice it with some musical gorgonzola! Luckily, the addition of Wham!'s funk-disco bassline, choppy guitar and cheesy vocal hooks actually works with the minimalism of the Digitalism track to create a great, summery floor-filler. It's a guilty pleasure sure but then sometimes life's too short...
In truth, the main reason that this is one of "our" favourite remixes is that Becky is probably the biggest Wham! fan known to man. We're not joking - this is genuine George'n'Andy love! This remix, she argues, allows us to play Wham! when we DJ. Yoni and I aren't entirely convinced (it's usually the time we choose to get a drink) but I suppose it does have a certain charm. Check it out below and make up your own mind!
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