Santa Monica, CA (Top40 Charts/ KCRW) - Remixes by KCRW
Music Director Jason Bentley and hosts Garth Trinidad, Raul Campos, Liza Richardson, and Jeremy Sole
The reigning king of Afrobeat Femi Kuti gets the remix treatment from KCRW DJs, including new Music Director Jason Bentley, as part of a unique creative collaboration between the Santa Monica-based public radio station and Mercer Street / Downtown Records. The five-song EP will be available during KCRW's winter pledge drive January 30 through February 9. (See below for tracklisting)
KCRW (89.9 and KCRW.com) has been playing music by Femi, and his father Fela Kuti, since the station launched it's eclectic music format over 30 years ago on a foundation of world music. The Femi Kuti vs. KCRW Soundclash Remix Project came about when Mercer Street / Downtown Records' Michael Pontecorvo asked Jason to remix a track off "Day by Day," Femi's first studio album in seven years and the first release on Downtown Records newly launched imprint Mercer Street Records. Jason suggested turning it into a KCRW Soundclash and inviting a handful of other DJs to remix songs as well. He approached the first Afrobeat fans that came to mind - Garth Trinidad, Raul Campos, Liza Richardson, and Jeremy Sole.
"Everybody's remix is representative of their personal take on Afrobeat and all of them are compelling and unique. From my edgy dancefloor version to Garth's dubbed out sketch, Raul's poolside House groove and Jeremy's purist Afrobeat offering. The one that I am most proud of is Liza's remix. It's her first remix and she hit it out of the park," said Bentley.
"We thought this was an innovative way to reintroduce Femi's music to a wider audience, and we felt KCRW would be an ideal partner. The artistic sensibilities of the KCRW DJs and the vibrancy of Femi's new music made this a sonic sound experiment on many levels. We are thrilled with the results," said Pontecorvo.
KCRW is a beacon for listeners who seek trendsetting music and engaging ideas on a daily basis and the Femi Kuti vs. KCRW Soundclash Remix Project takes it a step further. The remixes are already getting airplay on the station and will be available as a five-song EP starting January 30 as a membership premium during KCRW's bi-annual pledge drive to raise funds to support the station's programming. KCRW is the nation's leading independent, non-commercial radio station, offering innovative music as well as in-depth information programs and news from NPR.
Femi Kuti vs. KCRW Soundclash Remix Project
1. One Two (Garth Trinidad's Fiyah Dubb) 3:45
2. Tell Me (Jeremy Sole's Musaics remix feat. Ticklah) 5:07
3. Eh Oh (remixed by Liza Richardson & Jake Davies) 7:07
4. Do You Know (Raul Campos rmx) 6:18
5. You Better Ask Yourself (remix by Jason Bentley feat Static Revenger) 5:14
