Motown Remixed Vol. 2 Review
by Dan MacIntosh
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Song remixes should entirely deconstruct then reconstruct the originals, or leave them completely alone. Well, maybe that's a little too strong. But if recordings are hardly touched, it's a little bit like playing cards with a dealer who halfheartedly shuffles the deck. Such sins of omission invariably harm the integrity of the game. This recorded revisit with mostly Motown standards is intriguing in places, but there just isn't enough innovation to make you think twice about your favorite Detroit soul songs.
Nevertheless, I love the way "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" is transformed into a reggae tune. Also, if you're familiar with Diana Ross' disco hit, "The Boss", you won't recognize the traditional Mexican flavor Chosen Few has given it. Believe me I never thought I'd see the day when Ross' voice and an accordion would coexist on the same track. But that's exactly what happens here.
Far too often, however, these songs are given too little spice to alter their basic flavors. Stronger handclaps and Latin percussion are the two main elements added to Jackson Five's "I Want You Back". But that neither enhances, nor ruins and already fine groove. Similarly, another Jackson Five track, "Dancing Machine", is aided by Latin piano and horns. Marvin Gaye's "I heard it Through the Grapevine" is techno-ized on this collection, but was that really necessary? Be wise, stick with these originals, instead.
This collection is a curiosity, nothing more. Listen to it once. Scratch your chin a few times. Then pull out that Motown box set and go straight back to the original brew. Then, my friend, you'll be dancin' in the street.
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Motown Remixed Vol. 2
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