Ongoing Vibes 20

Cover art: https://www.instagram.com/claudio.solli/

My instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ds_fiori/
(trash beat)

I'm working on a new album :O

Depth - Fiori DS

duncangerow.com

Brandy + 9th Wonder = Baby

Commissioned by Craig Kallman (CEO/President of Atlantic Records USA). He proudly told me he had signed only two people to a production deal with the label. Myself and Outkast's Andre 3000. Gulp! Motivation! During that time, CK commissioned me to work with/on a number of records/artists. Brandy's "Full Moon" was one. This CHIC version has actually my first idea when I heard the original song. I thought it might be TOO retro, so I didn't even attempt to put it together until after I delivered the SOULCHILD REMIX to a very pleased record label. Ironically, more people seem to like this than my other version. Who could've predicted that?! 

The sample: CHIC "I Want Your Love". Various portions from the full length version were extracted and put aside. Each portion was then manually manipulated to play in concert pitch. The original mastering engineer must've sped it up on the cut in 1979 (not unheard of). Then every bar, half bar, and quarter & eighth bar was spliced into (almost) perfect time. This was needed as I planned to add tougher new drums - percussion, strings, and synth bass too - and THEY would be in metronomic time(ish). This was a long convoluted process, but I knew it'd be worth it in the end. The original bassline was played by the late great Bernard Edwards. Guitar by the legendary Nile Rodgers, and drums by one of world's finest drummers - my hero - the late great Tony Thompson. 

I have never seen Craig Kallman so thrilled, when I delivered this version. He had it on repeat in his office (loudly) and started calling people in the building to come up and hear it immediately! After that meeting, I spoke to Jimmy Bralower (he worked in promotions and was previously and very famous drum programmer to A-List record producers). He told me Nile Rodgers had just left his office. I was gutted I didn't get to meet him and play him my CHIC Mix. It's still available on CD single, iTunes, and 12in vinyl. Hope you enjoy it. Thank you for your kind emails and comments. Much love, DM

Follow me on Twitter: @DamienMendis

To the person who I accidentally deleted their comment - Sorry, I clicked on the wrong icon! 
Please re-comment! Here's the reply to clarify your question...
That particular CD promo is slightly mistitled. Any version that utilises CHIC's "I Want Your Love" is either the so-called "Damien Mendis Remix" or derived from that remix. Thus, the so-called "Rascal Mix/Dub" is actually a 'Re-Edit' of the "Damien Mendis Remix/Instrumental/Dub". The stems were given to him with a view to re-EQing them - beefing them up. I wasn't happy with my original mix. I thought it sounded a bit thin. It was done quickly in the UK, with a view to mixing it once I was back in the USA. The 'Rascal' did a pretty good job of beefing it up on the whole. The balance wasn't perfect, but it sufficed. My OTHER version of "Full Moon" utilises Michael Wycoff's "Looking Up To You" and SHOULD be titled "Soulchild Remix" (which is one of my alternative production pseudonyms). The main Soulchild Remix has no rap, the other features a rap from Fat Joe. Hope that clears up any confusion?!

Depth - Fiori DS

Fiori DS 🌱