Curtie and Nino – 45@33

Hey folks! Thanks Chuck for keeping the Fuzz rolling.

I’ve been at a loss as to what to post exactly these days. I was contemplating doing an homage to Junior and posting some forgotten Soul or Funk gem, but I’m still trying to figure out if I have anything fitting in my collection. Junior is a hard act to follow; so many amazing selections and posts.  Salud! … So,  in the interest of avoiding bloggers block and putting some fresh tunes up, I’m going to work with what I have banging around at the moment. Here are two random 45RPM 12″ platters that sound better (in my opinion) at 33.

Rocking a record at half speed is, of course, nothing new – DJ Screw famously inspired a whole Hip Hop movement out of  Texas with his “screwed” down mixes. For the curious, there is a great documentary about Screw which has conveniently surfaced on Youtube – part 1 of 11 kicks off here. And currently, Dave Nada of Nadastrom is wandering the country wrecking shop with “Moombathon” – his self-described brand of screwed down Dutch House. A great story on the origins of Moombahton here, and, a very tasty Nada mix-tape here.

… now, let’s slow some stuff down…

First up, we take 1985 Synth Pop Disco Curtie and The Boombox single Black Kisses (Never Make You Blue) and stretch it from from 4:27 to 9:04. Interesting things happen… the rhythm section shifts gears to a meditative echo-y drum stomp almost reminiscent of a long Cure jam (kinda like Pictures of You perhaps?). The staccato guitar retains a bit of its original pace and bounce. Meanwhile, the vocals are pitched down to a thicker, huskier tone (again, I get a goth vibe).  At 33, the synth arrangement really comes into focus.

The original is also quite excellent… Black Kisses works at any speed really.

Next up, we have a record I thought I was playing at the right speed, then I heard the Youtube uploads – I couldn’t believe it. I very much do not like this tune at its original tempo: it’s too “in your face”. However, screwed down, I absolutely love it – it’s addictive. At 33, Nino’s brilliant layered shifting arrangement and wonderfully expansive mix just kind of shimmers (if that makes any sense). This record sits well in any room as a low-key dance track or just an upbeat sound-scape.

Hope you dig. Thanks.