Speed is of the essence

A digression into music that is not free, and the conundrum it poses.

Recently I tried to listen to Kanye West's previous album, Graduation. It was underwhelming, like a stoner reading of the news. For instance, Tyler Fedchuk's 1/2ALIVE remix of Stronger, sped up to a less glacial level of activity, is the version that should have been receiving attention. It brings the well-crafted and clever lyrics into snappy attention, and sends the flabby original off for a workout. The result is a classic, but one that seems destined to remain underground. (In contrast, last year's 808s & Heartbreak album has crisp production and shows a more obvious dance influence. I approve.)
Kanye West: Stronger (Tyler Fedchuk's 1/2ALIVE remix)

An exercise along similar lines is a remix by Pocketknife from last year (thanks to Carl for including it in Like Hearts Swelling). This puts a wry smile on a dreary lament, with foot-tapping suggested. Nice job.
Iron And Wine - Each Coming Night (Pocketknife's Rooftop Telescope Remix)

Finally, ripping out the completely generic indie rock vocals on the Mystery Jets single Two Doors Down results in some very tasty sounds. Duke Dumont is the creative spark here, and the result is a dancefloor classic.
Mystery Jets: Two Doors Down (Reconstructed by Duke Dumont)

I would have been quite happy to pay for all of these tracks. Yet they cannot be bought: the first was available for a while from Fedchuk's blog and now has been removed. The second was on Pocketknife & Cousin Cole's (bootleg?) album Tambourine Dream, now out of stock and hard to find. The final track was released on a DJ-only promo in June 2008, with no official release as far as I can tell.

Now, back to our regular programme: music that is actually free and avoids such tangles of social constructs.

Update (2009/11/20): The Duke Dumont reconstruction is now available on iTunes, as part of Global Underground Vol. 37.

Half-light melody

Beach walk in autumn:
a half-remembered playground,
soft still northern light.
Frequent C: Gone But Not Forgotten

Chunky cliff

Jagged scraps restrain
Undertow of melody.
Oh, that sweet drumbeat.
Fenducci: Feynman's bluff

Gongs of autumn

This gem is tucked away inside Milieu's 2007 remix album Wasted Magic in the Sound.
Thanks to Grim on Mbient, who unearthed the track and featured it in the recent Archaic Horizon overview mix Gathering the Rise. GTR showcases many of my most-played Archaic Horizon tracks from the last few years -- highly recommended.

An oozing bell-peal forms the addictive core; hints of conversation drift around in the background.
skink: You Know That Place Well (mmx)