After taking a four-year hiatus, Black & Gold singer Sam Sparrow reemerged earlier this year with a Freddie Mercury-esque moustache and infectious pop number, Happiness, (this is where the Freddie Mercury comparisons end). Now the electro-pop crooner is back with remixes for his new single, Wish I Never Met You. Never one to do things by the book, Mr. Sparrow released the remixes before the actual single. I can’t figure out if this is genius, or a sign that he’s done too many drugs? Either way, I’m digging what I hear, which makes me think: if the original is not up to the standard of one of these interpretations, Sam is going to be one Sparro that’s going to have to deal with a lot of awkward turtles.
The first remix comes from UK producers Devil’s Gun. It’s a bit ‘meh’ to be honest. Not that it’s unpleasant, it could just be any old house track. There are no distinguishing qualities that make me want to listen to it again. In fact, this portrayal makes the gaping hole of the original even more obvious.
On the other end of the spectrum, Sydney-based producer Alison Wonderland and fellow EMI compadre proves once again why she’s becoming somewhat of a remix authority. Recently played by none other than Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1, the Alison Wonderland rendition perfectly complements Sparro’s creamy vocals. Infused with a deep house sensibility, yet imprinted with original flair, this arrangement depicts exactly what a good remix should be – a tribute to the original. The fact that we haven’t even heard the original exemplifies just how legit Ms. Wonderland’s skills are. If this is any indication of the calibre of work we are to expect from her debut compilation Welcome to Wonderland (due out May 18), call me Pavlov’s dog ’cause I’m salivating.
Now if you aren’t aware of the many achievements Alison Wonderland has amassed up to date, here is a quick rundown to bring you up to speed. As well as doing official remixes for 360 and a virtually unknown band, formally known as LITTLE DRAGON *sarcasm alert*, earlier this year, she travelled across the pond to play the official EMI Grammy and Britt Awards parties. Watch this space; I have a feeling Alison Wonderland is a name we will be hearing a lot of this year.
