mixtape maestro (2.0)

Previously heralded around these parts for his remix of Kanye West’s “Love Lockdown” as well as an indie-pop-flavored re-working of T-Pain’s “Chopped & Screwed”, North Carolina singer-songwriter Jake Troth proves he can produce approving original material as well with new single “Material Things”, a whistle-and-handclap-laden cut that somewhat sarcastically hypes a good life with high-priced gear filling up his closet, model chicks on his arm and an iPod bulging with the best of “Weezy, Jeezy, Yeezy and B.I.G.”.

“Oh the happiness these materials bring,” Troth casually chimes, inspiring a series of playful “cha-ching” echoes on the hook.

No worries though, one needn’t be experiencing the perks of such a lavish existence in order to be drawn in to the song’s melodic, indie-pop charms.

Every music blogger will feel the Maestro’s pain when it comes to the overly-packed in-box.

Filled to the brim with PR’s showcasing that “hot new indie artist” whose bandwagon you just HAVE to jump on early, “exclusive” remixes that have obviously been CC’d to damn near everyone else on the Hype Machine/ Elbo.ws circuit, the endless announcements of new mixtapes and video releases and numerous follow-up artist representatives stressing you out over whether you finally got a chance to listen to their respective act’s material, it’s almost impossible to get through all of it and live a normal person’s life too (Not to mention the fact that a majority of the music just really isn’t all that good).

So in an effort to lighten up the load a bit, check out this jumbo-sized post full of some noteworthy cuts that’s come the Maestro’s way in recent weeks:

• The Constellations “Felicia (Death Metal Disco Scene Vocal Remix)”

Now this is how you do a remix!! The Constellations‘ original (from their Cee-Lo and Asher Roth-featured debut, Southern Gothic) was already a killer track thanks to it’s enjoyable mix of a Southern soul and rock strut with a little hoochie White girl rap sass. But the plastic-funk textures applied on this remix from UK dance remixer/producer Death Metal Disco Scene (Lily Allen, The Verve, Kylie Minogue) takes “Felicia”‘s greatness to a whole new level. Hotter than a firecracker, indeed!

• Beyonce “Diva (Slot-A Remix)”

The hook line “A diva is a female version of a hustler” still sounds dumb, but Detroit producer Slot-A makes that point moot with all the snazzy ’80′s decoration he pastes on the Beyonce banger.

• Drake featuring Peter, Bjorn and John “Let’s Call It Off”

In which Degrassi: The Next Generation actor-slash-singer/ rapper Drake cleverly embeds himself within Peter, Bjorn and John’s sublime 2006 break-up ode, resulting in eleventy-hundred bloggers suffering a collective stroke from excitement. (from Drake’s new mixtape, So Far Gone)

• Jake Troth “Shush”

“This the type of shhh that make the haters stop talking,” drone-raps indie multi-talent Jake Troth through “Shush”‘s devious stomp and suspenseful guitar linger. And since Maestro doesn’t fall in line with that crowd, we’ll proudly go ahead and state that ears need to be firmly set on this one-to-watch in ’09. (from Troth’s upcoming Daydream Big mixtape)

• Jemex “Breathe” featuring Dean Grey

It’s understandable why an artist would want to put out their sappiest stuff now, this being V-Day and all, but with drippy lyrics like “I can hear my heartbeat so carefully/ When I hear that sound it must know you’re around”, “Breathe” (from Brooklyn producer Jemex) edges into being a little too Velveeta-y. If only we could shake off the tenderness we feel inside every time it’s dreamy Prom Dance production smothers the ears, though…

• Wreckx N Effect “Rump Shaker (Jemex Remix)”

…Ah wait, here’s the answer: “Check baby, check baby 1-2-3-4″!!!! Sigh…Macho-ness retrieved.

• Teedra Moses “Weekend Goodtime”

Following an odd slow intro in which Moses bemoans her lack of a husband and white picket fence, the underrated R&B cutie suddenly shrugs off her woes, puts on the instrumental to Snoop Dogg’s summery “Let’s Get Blown” and hits the streets in search for a one-weekend stand. (from Moses’ new album, Lionhearted: Young Hustla, Vol. III)

• The Ting Tings “Great DJ (DJ Jem Mix)”

In which Chicago’s DJ Jem decides that the Ting Tings jam just doesn’t have enough beat sizzle for the jukin’ sect.

North Carolina singer-songwriter-producer Jake Troth lit up the blogosphere with one of the better of a zillion “Love Lockdown” remixes that we obsessively coveted during the last months of ’08. Hoping to continue some of that momentum as well as start building more interest into his own original material, Troth is not only kicking off the new year with a new six-song EP (entitled Might As Whale) but he’s also cooked up this cover of T-Pain’s “Chopped & Screwed” as a bonus offering.

A bit reminiscent of Hot Chip’s similarly sleepy take on “Sensual Seduction” last year, Troth turns “Screwed” from a herky-jerky R&B slow jam to a dreamy synthesized lullaby set over a rapid-paced drum beat somebody like Luke would have rapped all nasty over back in the good ol’ days.

What’s most interesting here is how sad Pain’s lyrics now sound in this context. In the original version, hearing the protagonist fumble so bad as a nightclub mack brought out mostly giggles. But under the shadings of Troth’s sublime melodics and sad-robot vocals, you can’t help but come away feeling nothing but the utmost pity for the player wanna-be. Hearing him whimper “Shorty don’t chop me”, you get the vibe that this cat may have nothing else to live for if he isn’t successful in wheeling the dimepiece back to his crib.

DL: “Chopped & Screwed (T-Pain Cover)” (alt)

Below, peep the Maestro’s favorite track from Whale, “Thanks For Coming With”. The acoustic ballad is a bit of a downer with end-of-life-focused lyrics like “If my mind should leave me soon/ And I can’t recall your name/ Please remind me everyday”, but for anyone who still believes in true love, the combination of it’s sparse melancholy and Troth’s tender script makes for one of the most touching love letters ever set to tape. Someone phone up Grey’s Anatomy and alert them to this understated gem, STAT! (Peep more of Whale over at Troth’s MySpace!!)

DL: “Thanks For Coming With” (alt)