mixtape maestro (2.0)

Despite bearing two major radio-approved names, a recession-era flashy Hype Williams-directed clip and being one of the more fizzier offerings of the summer, The-Dream and Kanye West’s futuro-disco delight “Walking On The Moon” strangely failed to really become the super smash pop hit we initially assumed it would. Hell, it couldn’t even inspire countless other rappers and singers to try to “remix” it, which, in this zip-tape-heavy day and age, marks it as a bigger “FAIL” than any modest Billboard chart peakings it claimed.

But, whatever, we still adore it, and so have nothing but praise to shower on remixers Seamus Haji and Paul Emanuel for giving the track an even stronger dancefloor bump in their ‘Club Mix’.

Stretching out “Moon”‘s length to a heavenly eight-and-a-half minute time frame and sprinkling an added treatment of decorative dance glitz to it’s already perfect production sheen, Haji and Emanuel have given us “Moon” lovers quite the End of Summer gift.

DL: “Walking On The Moon (Seamus Haji & Paul Emanuel Club Mix)” (alt)

A few thoughts after peeping the video for the new Dream and Mariah duet, “My Love”:

-For such a high-profile collabo choice, it’s endlessly fascinating that “My Love” doesn’t really rank much hire than listenable (read: good for the time it’s playing, but completely forgotten once it fades out). This is MARIAH freakin’ Carey!!! Dream couldn’t have come up with a more interesting concept than something we had to endure ad nauseum from Ashanti/ J. Lo and (insert any popular Black R&B singer or rapper from the early-to-mid’ 00′s here).

-Speaking of “fascinating”, that hair-do that Carey is sporting is gangsta-boo glorious. But was the clip all shot in one day, or were her hairstylists simply tired after all that braiding. Come on, Mariah, Beyonce can give us twenty-hundred do’s in one video, you couldn’t have mustered up at least one more? We could have at least got a couple shots of that side pony thing on the other side of her head.

-Did anybody think Dream was about to pull a “Chris Brown” and beat the hell out of MC with that frying pan? And did being threatened with kitchenware make Carey realize that she was hungry and need to have an egg-and-hot dog omelet?

-Even after that whole crunk and “snap & b” movement, why are finger snaps still like the greatest R&B song element?

-Could Dream’s real-life ex wife, singer Nivea (of “Don’t Mess With My Man” fame), confirm that this clip is based on a true story?

-Wait…Dream has a Grammy!?! Surprised that Carey didn’t try to sneak her FIVE in a shot next to the sugar and Kool-Aid.

-Wait…Mariah drinks Kool-Aid!?!

It wouldn’t be unleashing any dark secret to publicly state that The-Dream‘s lil’ chipmunk chirp take on singing has a tendency to edge in fingernails-on-chalkboard grating territory. But to his credit, his itty-bitty pipes add a complimenting featherweight layer to his already light and fluffy brand of R&B-pop.

Take “Walking On The Moon” for instance. The Kanye West-featured track, from his increasingly appealing sophomore effort, Love Vs. Money, is a sleek, sci-fi textured jaunt (“Welcome to 2085″, he intros) that houses his alien-toned coo to great effect.

As with nearly every other song he does, “Moon”‘s lyrical theme centers on catching romantic feelings in the club with him “circling stars” and “walkin’ on the moon” after laying eyes on one particular beauty across the dancefloor. To illustrate the Cupid-struck wooziness that’s got him floating off the ground, the backing track melds influences from ’70′s MJ, ’80′s-era Prince and new wave with ca. ’90′s Timbaland, creating this weightless ear-tickle of a beat for his voice to delicately soar through.

Now a more full-bodied vocalist would’ve most likely ruined it’s fantasy atmosphere, awkwardly clunking their way through it like the Incredible Hulk on a bed of flowers. But with Dream in the driver seat, coloring up the tune with his endless supply of ethereal “ooh” mini-runs, “Walking On The Moon” lands as a lovely pop morsel so full of airy charm, even a heavy onslaught of repeated listens won’t leave one fully satisfied. Guess we now know why he goes by that name.

Pre-order Love Vs. Money, due March 10th, here.

DL: “Walking On The Moon” (alt)

Peep the video for his current single, “Rockin’ That Thang” below: