Notice this isn’t billed as a remix, but rather an edit of a remix. Care to trace the song’s evolution and see why it matters?
First is the basis, Aaliyah’s fairly standard mid-90s slow jam “At Your Best.” As you can see, it begins with a few breathy a capella lines dying to be sampled by a suave future generation.
Then along comes the “Godfather of Jungle,” Aphrodite, with a remix that takes the first line from Aaliyah’s original and meditates on it relentlessly via a compressed jungle/drum and bass beat. That shit sounds pretty mid-90s as well.
Now Laurel Halo gets the hint and “edits” Aphrodites remix, adding some extra cosmic synth pads and a much beefier drum stomp. Listen back and forth between the two — it’s kind of astonishing how two entirely different vibes (or rather, times and places) emanate from each mix. I guess it doesn’t take much to sound like 2011. Or maybe I should say “never underestimate the power of a good mix.”
I should also suggest that Aphrodite re-edit Laurel’s next album, maybe take some of the low end out, give it that 90s papery quality (sorry if that makes no sense). Call it “Godfathering” or “Jungling.” More importantly, doesn’t anyone care what Aaliyah has to say about her work exchanging between so many hands? I tried contacting her people for comment, but it turns out she’s dead!
• Laurel Halo: http://www.laurelhalo.com/
