Wired’s Playlist podcast is back. This week, senior editor Nancy Miller takes us around the world with a British-Nigerian dubstep king, a French songstress who was born in Israel and a Brooklynite named London. With all the sampling, remixing and mashing up in these songs, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something you like. Bon voyage!
Who:Dr. Calculus
Song: “Perfume From Spain (Inversion)”
Album:Designer Beatnik
Dr. Calculus was a collaboration, circa 1985, by producer Roger Freeman and ex-Duran Duran member Stephen Duffy. EMI re-released Designer Beatnik in 2007 with several bonus tracks, including this one.
Who:Chateau Marmont
Song: “Nibiru (Beautiful Swimmers Late Night Dubbing Mix)”
Album:Nibiru
Stateside it might be confused with a popular Hollywood hotel, but Chateau Marmont is actually a four piece electro-pop group whose members grew up together in Paris. The band is currently on tour in the United States.
Who:Theophilus London
Song: “Wine and Chocolates”
Album:Lovers Holiday
Brooklyn-bred new wave rapper (and Mark Ronson protégé) released his first EP in February following the success of his guerilla-marketed mix tapes and a Mountain Dew commercial featuring his song “Flying Overseas.” A savvy marketer, London is featured in the latest Bushmills whiskey campaign.
Who:Wick-it the Instigator
Song: “Go Get Tangerine”
Album:The Brothers of Chico Dusty
Wick-it, the prodigious mashup artist, went all Danger Mouse’s The Grey Album on The Brother of Chico Dusty, mashing up Big Boi’s Sir Lucious Left Foot — The Son of Chico Dusty and Brothers, the latest from The Black Keys. This track is Big Boi’s “Tangerine” meets the Keys’ “The Go Getter.”
Who:Benga
Song: “Crunked Up”
Album:Diary of an Afro Warrior
Adegbenga Adejumo — codename: Benga — is a British dubstep producer. “Crunked Up” comes from his 2008 debut album, but he is featured on several compilations, including Warrior Dubz from DJ Mary Anne Hobbs and The Roots of Dubstep, from “grime MC” Tempa.
Who:Keren Ann
Song: “My Name Is Trouble”
Album:101
Israel-born, France-based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Keren Ann wrote and produced most of her sixth album, 101. The critically lauded chanteuse is best known stateside as the soundtrack to Grey’s Anatomy and HBO’s Six Feet Under and Big Love, as well as an H&M commercial. In her spare time, she fronts the band Lady & Bird with Icelander Barði Jóhannsson.
Who:The Kleptones
Song: “If Les Fleur Were Mine”
Album:24 Hours
Most mashup producers stick to sampling two songs per track, but Eric Kleptone is known to work with five or six at a time. This song is nothing short of an amalgam, blending both Luther Vandross and Marvin Gaye’s recordings of “If This World Were Mine,” 4 Hero’s “Les Fleur” and the score from the feature film Waking Life.
Who:Fleet Foxes
Song: “Helplessness Blues”
Album:Helplessness
Seattle’s indie princes will kick off a nationwide tour at the end of April in support of this much-anticipated second album, set for release May 3. The Fleet Foxes are known for switching the band’s lineup on the regular, and the latest addition is Morgan Henderson, former bassist for hardcore band The Blood Brothers and indie rockers Sharks Keep Moving.
Who:Patrick Watson
Song: “Bright Shiny Lights”
Album:Close to Paradise
Self-described musical mad scientist Patrick Watson’s most recent album, Wooden Arms, dropped in 2009, but this little gem comes from his much-acclaimed 2006 release. Fun fact: Patrick Watson is actually his band’s name as well (the group is filled out by musicians Robbie Kuster, Mishka Stein and Simon Angell).
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