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  artwork by: Kevin Lyons layout by: Matt Petrocci 
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 Wide Hive Remixed various CD, 2LP Release Date: 11/04/03  
 Wide Hive Remixed is the latest release from Wide Hive Records, the progressive independent label from San Francisco that has brought you accomplished artists such as DJ Zeph, Variable Unit (VU), dissent, and Calvin Keys. The mission behind Wide Hive Remixed is to expose the world to the label's quality back catalog while presenting new interpretations from some of the hottest up-and-coming hip-hop and electronic producers. This album contains 16 diverse tracks ranging from hip-hop and downtempo to electro and deep house. The all-star lineup of producers includes GE-OLOGY, Ticklah (of Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra), Tommy Guerrero, Djinji Brown, Kaskade, DJ Eli, DJ Design (of Foreign Legion), Underground Science, Headnodic (of Crown City Rockers), beatScape, OP!, Rockskins, and 4AM. Also included from the Wide Hive family are remixes from DJ Zeph and Gregory Howe. The emcees featured here are P.E.A.C.E (of Freestyle Fellowship), Rubix, and Wide Hive staple Azeem. Enter Wide Hive Remixed as OP! kick starts the album with a banging "Minus One" intro that sets you up for the next 70 minutes. Then it's on to Ticklah's rework of dissent's "Rudy," where he offers us a filtered and sultry downbeat version, utilizing the captivating voice of Nathalie Sanchez. We move into hip-hop mode as Rockskins does his take on Variable Unit's "Seven Grain" track. He truly maintains the original vibe of instrumentation, with the added excitement and energy of Rubix's rhymes. On to the next, as DJ Eli provides us with an organic afrobeat mover of dissent's "Bleeding Together" that has been receiving great response as part of the first 12" single for this project. Tastemakers like Bobbito a.k.a. DJ Cucumber Slice have said "I've played it every week at Apt (as well as Martinez Gallery - NY) and it has gotten very strong floor response." GE-OLOGY, who's best known for his work with Mos Def and Black Star and is currently smashing it with his latest 12" release for Vinia Mojica, offers us a new take on dissent's "Shine," turning this smooth downtempo cut into a sharper swinging boom bap affair. Quite challenging at first, but it grows on you with every listen. Underground Science a.k.a. Audessey of Mass Influence, does a superb job at taking the original jazzy spoken word piece from dissent called "Boundary" and flips the vocals over a spacey electronic beat. DJ Design, who is one third of Bay Area hip-hop group Foreign Legion and part of the Stones Throw family, takes things back up a notch with a really booming mix of DJ Zeph's "Mirrors on Sand." It definitely has a bouncy "Neptunes" feel with all new lyrics courtesy of Azeem. beatScape's (who consist of producers jms and Soem) "Brooklyn Swahili" Remix of DJ Zeph's "Bronx Zulu" stands as one of the most original re-works on this album. This remix dives into electro territory, using DJ Zeph's scratches from the original, over robotic soundscapes and vocals chanting "this is how we do the Brooklyn Swahili." When you thought this remix couldn't get any more interesting, AB DOWELL (of Sight Beyond Light) locks in on the beat with his tight rhyming half way through the song. The diversity of this album doesn't let up, as Wide Hive's own DJ Zeph (Urb Next 100 artists of 2003), dives into Variable Unit's "Dr. J. Dub" and makes it into a very dubby dubby affair. Besides DJ Zeph's additional production, Balboa Becker adds trombone and organ work, while Bradley Hughes plays saxophone and VU's Matt Montgomery contributes on bass. The first of two Calvin Keys remixes comes courtesy of Djinji Brown of Seven Heads Entertainment on the "Tierra Naranja" tune. Djinji uses Calvin's guitar licks to the fullest extent as they drive over a rolling hip-hop beat. Headnodic, beatmaker and bass player for Crown City Rockers who recently released his second solo album Tuesday, gets behind his sampler and contributes another jazzy instrumental hip-hop cut for Variable Unit's "Staggering." Things get a little more rhythmic as Gregory Howe, the main man behind dissent, reworks "Sound is God," a favorite off of their debut album. Tommy Guerrero, who has been receiving critical acclaim for his latest album Soul Food Taqueria, leaves his trademark sound on dissent's "Eclectric Company," adding his melodic laid back guitar work over the original eerie vibe. Headnodic graces us again with his remix for Calvin Keys' "Urban Shaman" featuring vocals by P.E.A.C.E of Freestyle Fellowship. San Francisco DJ/Producer 4AM handles the remix touches for DJ Zeph's "The Movement." 4AM takes us into a deeper darker soundscape while maintaining Azeem's original lyrics. To wrap things up, Kaskade who is currently receiving critical acclaim for his debut album It's you, It's Me on Om Records, offers us a deep and soulful workout of "Bleeding Together." This remix adds beautiful melody and layering over 4 on the floor pounding beats, while maintaining the original vibe. A sure dance floor mover for any club. Wide Hive Remixed will definitely show Wide Hive's established fans the growing diversity of the label, while creating interest for new fans to catch up on what they've been missing. This album will be available on CD as well as Double LP, with three 12" singles to support it featuring bonus material.  http://orlandoweekly.com/music/cdreviews/index.asp?cd=1164 http://eastbayexpress.com/issues/2003-10-22/music.html/1/index.html For Interviews, Photos, or more info on Wide Hive artists, please contact: Ryan Romana (Wide Hive / Indelible PR) « ryan@widehive.com « P: (415) 282-9433  © 2004 WIDE HIVE RECORDS PO BOX 460067 SAN FRANCISCO CA 94146 |