Mixes

I did this one back in 1996 for Mercury Records. The Fugees were signed to Sony Music, but had contributed a track to an upcoming Mercury Records film soundtrack called, "When We Were Kings". The film is about an historic boxing event in 1974 in Kinshasa, Zaire, Africa. It pitted the undefeated world heavyweight champion George Foreman against challenger Muhammad Ali. This remix uses samples of Muhammad Ali quotes at the intro - I did another 'Extended Mix' that used more quotes throughout. When I find the DAT I will convert & upload it :).

The key to getting this one right is initial ARRANGEMENT. 
The Radio Promotions guy at Mercury Records came to me asking my advice about a Fugees track that was getting no love at radio (as a promotional/preview copy). It was too long (just over 5 minutes) and it didn't have a proper hook - like a 'pop' radio record usually does. Sony tried to block Mercury from releasing it as a single, as The Fugees had just blown up with their breakout cover of "Killing Me Softly". Since Sony had no rights to the track, Mercury were free to use however they wanted. The only trouble was that radio wasn't in love with it in its current form.... 

I went back to the vocals. Laid them out, edited verses from  the various featured rappers, clipped into a SONG FORMAT... i.e. Verse, Bridge, Chorus, Verse, Bridge, Chorus, MIddle 8 etc. I utilised a Lauryn HIll  sung line (Juice Newton's "Angel In The Morning") as the chorus hook - copied & pasted that. The music/bassline sample that creeps in and out of the track was lifted from ABBA's "The Name of the Game". I always thought it was odd that no-one had sampled the Swedish super group before. Turns out, there was a good reason... 

ABBA members/writers, Björn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson, flatly refuse clearance for samples, no matter who you are. In this rare case, they loved how the music was used and agreed worldwide clearance. This was a first back in 1996. It wasn't until 2005 that they allowed another ABBA sample to be used - "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" for Madonna's "Hung Up". The producer and creator of that single is also (coincidentally) a British guy - Stuart Price aka Thin White Duke, Jacques Lu Cont, Les Rythmes Digitales. 

So, here's how it turned out... Ali intro/background chant/LH singing the build "blocks on fire".. C'mon! > kick straight in with the ABBA groove; cut straight to main chorus hook - Lauryn Hill singing "Angel In The Morning" - you have to grab radio DJs & show producers ears immediately; follow with clipped raps from Wyclef Jean, Q-Tip, Lauryn Hill; then into the "Blocks on fire" sung bridge; back into the "Angel In The Morning" sung chorus; Verse 2 is spliced from raps by Pras and (saving the maddest for last) Busta Rhymes; bridge, chorus/bridge to fade. DONE! Result: #.3 on the UK Singles Chart and minor, but significant, hit in the USA. The down side for me was that I didn't get a proper 'printed' credit on the retail CD. I've seen it labelled as UK Mix, European Remix, Radio Edit etc. I was gutted at the time, but I was just a kid and I wasn't as business savvy at that stage of my career.

When I listen to it now, I realise how brutal the vocal cuts were. Some not subtle at all. The audio quality sounds a bit rough N ready/wooly. I wouldn't do it in quite the same way now. But, that's the thing of it. You do what you think is right at the time. Shout out to the tracks' original producers - Lauryn Hill & Wyclef Jean. Mix engineer - Warren Riker and Executive Producer – David Sonenberg.

The Fugees ft. Q-Tip & Busta Rhymes - Rumble In The Jungle [Mendis Radio Mix]

Queen Latifah - mr.big stuff

Agradeço por vc estar aqui me ouvindo.. Mais aviso que no meu canal no YOUTUBE tem muito mais!!! Aqui é só uma pontinha das musicas que posto no meu Canal BAILE CHARME DO GUTO DJ vai lá.

Brandon Williams feat. Eric Roberson - Don't Give Up On Love (Remix Ext by GUTO DJ) R&B Classic

Brandon Williams Feat. Eric Roberson Don't Give Up On Love (Remix By GUTO DJ) R&B Classic

Melt (feat. ScHoolboy Q) (prod. Pete Rock)

11 tracks produced by 9th Wonder featuring samples by Bobby Womack. RIP. 

01 Bobby's Temptation

PREVIEW: Chubb Rock & Mighty Mi - Same Rock (Brillstein Remix)

Method Man & Redman vs. Da Brat - How High (J Mashup)

Raekwon - Heard It All Before #tbt 15

Too many love songs

2pac Ft Slick Rick, Rakim & Big Daddy Kane - Ol Skool (Remix)

08 - Take Money Feat Big Pun Dj Lennox Blend

Exodus JaRule

Aaron Hall Ft Redman - Curiosity

2Pac - Pac's Life (Original Version 2)

This is the Official IceH2o records Soundcloud Account. It will have All songs who are signed to Iceh2o Records.

Raekwon - Heard It All Before #tbt 15

ICEH2O RECORDS

Recent comments

Fatbeataddict🤯☝

Fatbeataddict🤯☝

im'peretiv

G G.A.I.N

Related tracks