Buy Zen (To The Power) here (iTunes UK)
Stream this remix version here (soundcloud)
New Kids On The Block once opined that "I love the remix (baby)" and I fully subscribe to their scripture. Back when I was growing up, I was a huge fan of 12" vinyl and all the new variations that format would bring of my favourite tracks. Initially, I would gravitate to the extended versions - anything that would elongate the original 3 minutes into expanded experiences of aural ecstasy. As I developed musical maturity, it was the remixes that grabbed my attention - the way that people like Shep Pettibone, Sleazesisters, Almighty et al would re-invent songs into daring new genres and styles would take my breath away. Often, it would reinvigorate a song that I had loved for months - and that is certainly the case with James Leon's latest track. Zen (To The Power of Music) was originally released last November (purchase link above - invest in upcoming artists, people) and I was instantly smitten. Back then, I wrote
"On Zen, James sings of not allowing the negative influences in your life to overwhelm you, but to find your inner purpose and stick to being the best you that you can be. "All these stupid fools around me/some days I feel they drown me" is sung with a resonant alacrity that recalls the halcyon days of Erasure, George Michael and Human League. You may think these influences are a bit disparate, yet James skilfully weaves them into his music without ever making the listener feel like he is copying them. Rather he pays respect to the synth artists who forged the way and continues to hone his own sound with that pulsing beat and swirling keyboards. It's a chorus refrain that you'll be singing for days, thanks to it's clever hook"
It's an opinion I still stand by, a song that has stood the test of time and sounds just as delicious now as it did back then. James has teamed up with DJ Ateljee (who also reswizzled I Love The Music to extremely satisfying effect) to strip the song back to it's roots and recreate as something bold, dynamic and new - equally as endearing as the original yet a completely different animal. Hand claps are prominent and James' vocal is given more prominence, showing what a great pop singer he actually is. The effect of stripping back the instrumental to only minimal electro infusion allows the opening moments of the track to really focus on the meaning of the lyrics. A textured wall of sound is then introduced with space invader style synth loops and a percussive groove that will have you shimmying along, a slave to the rhythm. You want the music to wash over you, to infuse you with it's peaceful philosophies - and it does that amply, carrying you away on a blissful cloud of beats, beeps and a melody as luxurious as satin sheets. Perfect music for these balmy summer evenings when the setting sun makes you feel like anything is possible. When you are Zen To The Power, it certainly is.
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