Chaka Mad!

I lost power today, two of my fish decided it would be fun to swim into the filter (I don’t know how they knocked the arm off, must’ve been a suicide pact) and despite the fact that it hit the mid-60s today there’s still a mountain of black snow in front of my driveway that is like Ice-nine in its resistance to room temperature. And I don’t even have any good industrial music to post in response to this shitstorm. Grr. Maybe some bitchin’ jams will cheer me up.

Chaka Khan
I Feel For You (Remix)
I bought this 12” single on Tuesday, ever since then I have randomly been muttering “Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan.” Just now it occurred to me to google “Wrath of Chaka Khan” and I found this.

Okay, I’m happy now.

And just to stop all the hating haters who want to hate (yes, I’m aware of the stupidity of that statement), this specific remix is not the remix that is on Chaka Khan’s remix compilation.

P!nk
Get This Party Started/Sweet Dreams (Featuring Redman)
Get This Party Started (Remix) (Featuring Lady May)
Get The Party Started (Ernie’s All Night Anthem)
Get The Party Started (Pink Noise Disco Mix)

I really hate spelling Pink’s name with an exclamation point, but in order for my Last.fm stats to be 100% accurate it appears I have to do that from now on. Stupid OCD making me insaner. That first remix is totally bizarre, who thought to interpolate Sweet Dreams, a dark and disturbing new wave classic, with a super upbeat ode to rocking out? Odd. While the generically-titled “remix” lives up to its nothing name, “Ernie’s All Night Anthem” is a great slice of Hi-NRG house, and the “Disco Mix” certainly sounds like it could have been recorded in the late-70s/early-80s. It’s always amazing to me how much production work can change a song. All of these mixes are from the same 12” DJ promo single.

St. Etienne
Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Kenlou B-Boy Mix)
Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Masters At Work Dub)
Only Love Can Break Your Heart (A Mix In Two Halves)
Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Bonus Beats)

There’s a lot of talk as to why St. Etienne never broke through in America. Some blame their hard-to-define sound, others the state of dance music in the states. I honestly think it’s because their name is impossible to spell/pronounce. At least it is to me. These remixes of their debut single/Neil Young cover are all from a 12” single. They’re also all fairly awesome.

8 Responses to “Chaka Mad!”

  1. The Unheard says:

    When I saw Chaka Mad, I thought there was gonna be a ridiculous Prince reference in here, although I Feel For You is a Prince reference so the prophecy (self-serving) is fulfilled. Thanks for the good stuff as usual!

  2. Jacques aka DJ Jack says:

    I have always loved the St Etienne sound…very mellow.

    Good luck with the weather. I have another problem here in Johannesburg, South Africa, the HEAT…it's 33 degrees C today and tomorrow doesn't look much better.

    Keep up the great tracks a FCUK the haters.

  3. James says:

    Thanks for the St. Etienne mixes. Always enjoy reading your blog!

  4. docomospur says:

    That Youtube clip is f'n brilliant 🙂

    Thanks again for some fantastic mixes. That St Etienne tune brings back fond memories.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I love Saint Etienne but I have given up on collecting every special edition, b-side and remix. They are just too prolific for my budget, which is ironic considering that they haven't released an album of all new material in ages. Thanks for the post.

  6. raul says:

    thanks fot the pink (sorry p!nk) mixes,i knew only the disco mix,the others are really good

  7. SteveA says:

    The St Etienne is good. Love it. Cheers!
    That "chaka chaka" is quite sub-conscious – I was just in Chicago and that song came on in a video bar – and it's been stuck with me too!

  8. Anonymous says:

    Listen to Vanessa Amorosi – Mr Mysterious.
    If you like Pink you will definitely like this song.

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