 by
99
Posse
remixed at Ambaradan, Milan, in 2001
© NoveNove/BMG Ricordi
I met 99 Posse in 1992 at my first Naples gig. They were a lovely
duo of overweight neapolitans that sung kickass raggamuffin with
an intense political edge, and humor to burn. A few months earlier
they had a minor hit with their first single, Rafaniello/Salario
garantito, and when we met again a few weeks later in Milan,
they asked me to produce their first album - due by the beginning
of 1993. I had never produced anything but my own stuff, but I had
a small portable studio and I loved their music so I said yes. I
have to admit that, even thou I played it cool I was slightly terrified:
they had some powerful tunes, all written on popular hip hop/ragga
instrumentals. My challenge was to use the same patterns and create
brand new basic tracks with the original punch but a different,
more mediterranean flavor. The resulting album, Curre curre
guaglio', is one of the most influential italian albums of
the 1990s, for the only reason that matters: the songs were good,
compelling and poetic.
Then 99 and me went separate ways, but we stayed in touch: I occasionally
appeared live with them, I played a Theremin solo on their 2000
release La Vida que vendrà, and they asked me to make a
remix for their 2001 double CD NA
99 10°, celebrating their tenth anniversary. I can't remember
who picked Me siente?, if me or them, but I'm glad I remixed
it. It sounds completely different from the original, half speed,
with a new chorus and a brand new vocal arrangement. Plus, it's
almost roots reggae, one of my favorite beats in the whole world.
PS: Challenge for the nerdiest 99 fans: the version presented here
differs from the one published on CD for a single, very minute (but
still audible) detail. Whoever actually finds it wins a "bravo"
via email from me :) |
