Erykah Badu - Love of My Life (PT Mash-up)

01 Alright (AudioSavage's Shalamar Remix)

Mashup remixed by Initial Talk @initial-talk
https://www.facebook.com/InitialTalk

https://soundcloud.com/initial-talk/sets/initial-talk-old-school-mashup

Brandy - I Wanna Be Down (Shake You Down '86 Remix)
https://soundcloud.com/initial-talk-7/brandy-i-wanna-be-down-shake-you-down-remix

Q Choreo / Brandy x The Notorious B.I.G. x Mtume - "Best Friend" (Initial Talk Remix) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PID-2U4KMjA

Brandy - Best Friend (Juicy Fruit '83 Remix) @InitialTalk

Classic mashup made by me back in april 2001.
It aired several times on Dutch radio 3FM on TROS radio by Patrick Kicken.

Mashed by Dj @

Janet Jackson vs Change-All For You vs The Glow of Love (DJ Ed Mashup 2001)

Phyllis Hyman-U Know How To Luv Me(SteEdgeFiddle)

This revamp remix was commissioned by Craig Kallman (who was then the CEO/President of Atlantic Records USA). He had signed me to a production deal with the label and I had to produce or remix whatever they asked me to do, whilst under contract. On this occasion, I was more than happy to run with a Brandy track. Mike City had written and produced the original, but it was getting a lukewarm reception at radio and in the r&b clubs. So, that was my brief. Rodney Jerkins had superbly produced "What About Us" with its clunky groove, in a fresh, new way. But, unfortunately this song didn't lend itself very well to that (or any modern style) that well. It had to fit like it was meant to be...naturally. 

Michael Wycoff's "Looking Up To You" (produced masterfully by Webster Lewis) had been a big favourite on the soul and r&b circuit in the UK since 1982. It had been sampled on Zhane's "Hey Mr DJ" (loved that record, but man they sang badly out of tune!). I decided to revive it, changing the key and tempo slightly to fit "Full Moon". Every bar was cut and spliced to play in metronomic time. Tougher drums, a deep synth bassline, strings were added, along with a sprinkling of percussion. 

I wasn't completely happy with the mix that was done in London. So, whilst in America I asked Kevin 'KD' Davis if he'd help me mix it again. He's a great mix engineer and relatively quick too. He's mixed Usher, Outkast, Rihanna, Ne-Yo and too many to name here. KD was en route to Miami, Florida. So, I flew down and we did it at Circle House Studios (owned by the reggae group Inner Circle). It's not like a regular corporate studio. It's a converted one floored house. In the pool house was Lil Jon, next door to me was Lenny Kravitz and across the TV room was Lauryn Hill. The kitchen chef is amazing. Everyone eats well there! KD got the vocals sounding so much better within a hour or two. When I returned to the UK, I felt the music was a bit lightweight, on reflection. So, I used the Miami 'vocal' mix and created a new 'music' mix back in London; blended it together (one with Fat Joe's rap, one without) and Fed Ex'd it back to Craig @ Atlantic in NYC. Everyone loved it. But, before doing this version I had another idea that I wanted to investigate... C'est Chic :)

Follow me on Twitter: @DamienMendis

Brandy - Full Moon (Soulchild Remix feat. Fat Joe)

This revamp remix was commissioned by Craig Kallman (who was then the CEO/President of Atlantic Records USA). He had signed me to a production deal with the label and I had to produce or remix whatever they asked me to do, whilst under contract. On this occasion, I was more than happy to run with a Brandy track. Mike City had written and produced the original, but the label explained that it was getting a lukewarm reception at radio and in the r&b clubs. What they wanted was 'hot'. Rodney Jerkins had produced her previous single "What About Us" with its fantastic clunky groove, in a fresh and new way. Unfortunately, "Full Moon" didn't lend itself very well to that or any modern style. So, it was my job to create new music to fit the original song 'naturally' - like it was meant to be. 

Michael Wycoff's "Looking Up To You" (produced masterfully by Webster Lewis) had been a big favourite on the soul and r&b circuit in the UK since 1982. So, it had never left my memory. It had also been sampled on Zhane's "Hey Mr DJ" - I loved that record, but man, didn't they sang badly out of tune?! I decided to revive the groove from "LUTY" - changing the key and tempo slightly to fit. Every bar was cut and spliced to play in metronomic time (the original had a live drummer who didn't play exactly in time). I added tougher drums, two synthesizers playing a top bassline and sub-harmonic one for 'boom'. Strings were added, along with a sprinkling of percussion. 

The initial production work was done in the UK. But, I wasn't completely happy with the mix that was done there. So, I made a call to an amazing mix engineer called Kevin 'KD' Davis, and asked if he'd help me mix it again. He's mixed Usher, Outkast, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, P!nk and too many to name here. KD was about to travel from L.A. to Miami, Florida where he had a bunch of mixes lined up to do. By this time, I was already in NYC. But, I agreed to fly down and we did it at Circle House Studios (owned by the reggae group Inner Circle). It's not like a regular corporate studio. It's a converted one floored house. In the pool house was Lil Jon, next door to me was Lenny Kravitz and across the TV room was Lauryn Hill. The kitchen chef is amazing. Everyone eats well there! KD got the vocals to sound so much better within a hour or two. 

Upon returning to the UK, on reflection, I felt the music was a bit lightweight. So, I used the Miami 'vocal' mix and created a new 'music' mix back in London; blended it together (one with Fat Joe's rap, one without) and Fed Ex'd it back to Craig @ Atlantic in NYC. Everyone loved it. But, before doing this version I had another idea that I wanted to investigate... C'est Chic :)

Follow me on Twitter: @DamienMendis

Brandy - Full Moon (Soulchild Remix) (Vocal)

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?!

Brandy - Full Moon (Damien Mendis 'CHIC' Radio Mix)

Shola Ama - You're The One I Love [Damien Mendis 'D&A' Remix]

THE WOOTEN BROTHERS  -  TELL ME       (SOUL + RIO EXT 94,8)

Old School remix of Angie Stone's "Backup Plan". From "The Longman Project" album. Remix by Bo Bennike. This version the shorter Radio Edit.

Angie Stone - Backup Plan (The Longman Project) (Radio Edit)

Damien Mendis > DJ, Music Producer, Mixer, Writer/Composer, Arranger.

As a DJ, recently played in the main room @ Egg London (alongside Dimitri From Paris & DJ Pierre) on their new insanely great Flipside Sound System - which has to be heard to be believed. 
Booked to play the main room @ Pacha London.
Has also played at a vast array of clubs, festivals & events including: Fabric, Ministry of Sound, Glastonbury, Notting Hill Carnival, London Fashion Week, Ibiza, Marbella, Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago - many more worldwide spots.
DJ'd at numerous private parties for A-List celebrities & artists in the UK, Europe, & USA.
Musically style: Right across the board. No style preference. Bespoke sets for each party - commercial, underground or mixed.
R&B, Hip Hop, all kinds of House, Nu Disco, Indie/Dance, Techno, Reggae/Dancehall... you name it.

As a Producer/Mixer - too many to list- production monikers: SOULCHILD, MindSpell, D&A. 
Highlights include > Gorillaz, Brandy, Drake/Rihanna, Electric Six, Foxy Brown/Jay-Z, Byron Stingily, The Fugees. Some are featured here on SoundCloud.

Brandy - Full Moon (Soulchild Remix feat. Fat Joe)

Damien Mendis SOULCHILD