Graceland: The Remixes

by Paul Simon

Overview

Released while Paul Simon was in the thick of his Homeward Bound farewell tour of North America, Graceland: The Remixes pushes his monumental 1986 album into the realm of modern electronic music. Considering how Simon wrote nearly all of the album's songs to rhythmic tracks, it's a curious choice and the execution is even curiouser, as the assorted DJs -- including Paul Oakenfold, Groove Armada, Thievery Corporation, and Photek -- essentially keep large portions of the vocal tracks in place and ditch everything surrounding them, including the elastic bass and winding guitars. This is a relatively standard move for remixers, so it isn't unexpected, but it dramatically alters the feel of the Graceland material, turning something fluid into something flat. Matters are complicated by how the vocal tracks are the only elements that survive, a decision that keeps the tracks recognizable as melodies but not songs. Every cut feels diminished without the original backing musicians, and while there are some nice chillout grooves scattered through this remix album, it's not enough to sustain interest. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/01/2018
Label:	Legacy / Sony Music
UPC:	0190758466026
Rank:	7490

Tracks

1. Homeless [Joris Voorn Remix]
2. Gumboots [Joyce Muniz Remix]
3. I Know What I Know [Sharam's Motherland Mix]
4. Crazy Love, Vol. II [Paul Oakenfold Extended Remix]
5. The Boy in the Bubble [Richy Ahmed Remix]
6. You Can Call Me Al [Groove Armada Dub Redemption]
7. Under African Skies [Rich Pinder/Djoko Vocal Mix]
8. Graceland [MK's KC Lights Remix]
9. That Was Your Mother [Gui Boratto Remix]
10. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes [Thievery Corporation Remix]
11. All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints [Photek Remix]
12. Homeless [Joris Voorn Kitchen Table Mix/The Duke of New York's Edit]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Paul Simon   Primary Artist
Steve Berkowitz   Rendering

Technical Credits

Alfie Wright   Photography
Gretchen Brennison   Direction
Greg Calbi   Mastering
General M. D. Shirinda   Composer
Joseph Shabalala   Composer
Jonhjon Mkhalali   Composer
Michael Gaiman   Photography,Music Supervisor
Jeff Kramer   Music Supervisor,Executive Producer
Forere Motloheloa   Composer
Lulu Masilela   Composer
Roy Halee   Engineer
Dani Barnard   Project Supervisor
Frank Harkins   Design,Art Direction
Paul Trapani   Photography
Scott Ramsay   Photography
Katja Ruge   Photography
John Jackson   A&R
Richy Ahmed   Photography
Jen Maler   Photography
Jos Kottmann   Photography
Jeroen Van Der Meer   Direction
The Duke of New York   Executive Producer
Faria Raji   Photography
Paul Simon   Composer,Producer