Missy Elliott - Sock It 2 Me (Kaytranada Remix)

So after an excellent show by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth at Fortune Sound Club last Saturday we decided to stick around for DJ sets by Jerome LOL, Groundislava, and headliner Kaytranada. Two shows for the price of one is always awesome, especially when I would have paid and seen each separately! While about half the crowd was leaving we grabbed more beers and went back to the dace floor where they were playing an excellent mix of classic hip-hop by the likes of Souls of Mischief ("93 'til Infinity") and Eric B. & Rakim ("Don't Sweat the Technique"). Then before we knew it a crowd had appeared on the stage and helming the turntables was L.A.'s Jerome LOL. I had never heard of him before but my buddy told me he was dope and dope he sure was. He played a set of house music with serious hip-hop influences, including a great remix of A$AP Ferg's "Shabba". The overall vibe was very tribal, making for some fresh grooves and a sound that I look forward to following. Click the link below for his soundcloud page:

https://soundcloud.com/jeromelol             or               http://www.jeromelol.com/songs

Up next was Groundislava, also hailing from L.A. and also who I had not heard of before. I wasn't digging his set as much as Jerome LOL, but the big guy worked the crowd well and played a solid mix of house and pop remixes. Though I certainly could have done without his Miley Cyrus "We Can't Stop" remix lol.

Finally it was time for the main man, Montreal's Kaytranada. A friend of mine introduced me to his stuff a few months ago. That stuff is a mix of hip-hop and R&B remixes from TLC and Erykah Badu to K-OS and Danny Brown. He has gained a large following recently and one can certainly see why. His chilled out remixes provided the perfect ending to a great night of hip-hop. Near the end of his set Kaytranada played his remix of Danny Brown's "Lie4" that really got the crowd going. He then ended with my personal favourite and today's song, Missy Elliott's "Sock It 2 Me". His remix is bloody brilliant, slowing down the original, upping the bass and emphasizing the horns so they sound like the horses of the apocalypse riding toward the earth and its impending doom. He also eliminated Da Brat's shitty verse which was an excellent call. He continued to play this track while some nerd from the club stood right next to him, glaring at him to stop so that No Fun City could become quiet and peaceful again. Kaytranada went on for a few minutes to the delight of the audience. The image of his goofy smile and determination to continue, coupled with the dork glowering and standing over him while he plays the dooming "Sock It 2 Me" beat was something I will forever remember. As usual, the institution won and the house lights went back on as Kaytranada announced the address of the after party.

Coming from Montreal, Kaytranada must have certainly been shocked at the lameness of the curfew hours in this city. Especially considering that it was daylight savings and was technically only 1:30am. For a supposed world class city we sure do not know how to party with all bars closing by 3 and the SkyTrain ending service at 1am! Oh well, the city definitely is much better and prettier during daylight hours.

Some thoughts...

- Arcade Fire's new album is fucking incredible. This band continues to amaze me with each new album by completely changing their sound and style while keeping the same obvious Arcade Fire sound. There's only one other band on earth that has been able to do the same, albeit an entire decade longer, and that is Radiohead.
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Andy Samberg's new police officer sitcom is hilarious and a must watch for any fan of the guy.
- Remembrance Day is almost here. Be sure to buy a poppy and where it proudly while remembering the sacrifices of those in our armed forces so that we can live like we do today.
- And a big FUCK YOU to the government/health insurance people. My grandfather served in the Royal Canadian Navy for 40 years, working as the head chef on a supply ship. He is now enduring some serious health issues and is receiving no financial help because his (along with the entire crew's) "service" is not considered "active duty". Give me a fucking break!!! That is a disgusting way to treat the men and women who risked their lives for us. I want to strangle the dipshit cocksucking cunt who came up with this!