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For Pinker Tones, It's All in the Remix |
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11/20/2007
Ramiro Burr
For rock/electronica acts Pinker Tones and Mexican Institute of Sound, artistic collaborations have provided a way to reach more fans.
"Our latest album, (cover at right) 'More Colours,' was a remix of our previous works, but we did a lot of collaborations on it," said Pinker Tones singer Professor Manso. "We were in touch with a lot of artists, many of them new friends with a lot of talent. They were as eager to work with us as we were with them, and that gave the new CD a boost forward."
The Barcelona-based Pinker Tones worked on remixes and mashups with a variety of artists, including Mexican Institute of Sound, Kinky, Nortec Collective and Moreno Veloso (son of Brazilian great Caetano Veloso).
The collaborations came surprisingly easy, Manso says.
"After touring extensively, and meeting so many people, it felt good to have that support," he said. "But then suddenly I was at home listening to a new CD by +2, the new group of Moreno Veloso, and I got the idea of doing a remix with them. I didn't know them, but we contacted them the same day. Within an hour, we had the e-mail of (+2's) Kassin; he wrote back, and within two tours we had the remix. It turns out they were fans of the Pinker Tones. And now we're good friends."
Kassin remixed the tune "Beyond Nostalgia," adding in instrumental flourishes, a dance beat and samples.
Other CD highlights include "L' Heros," a bright, horn-fueled, reggae-ish tune remixed by the Torpedo Boys, and "Love Tape," the Pinker Tones tune mashed up with "Medium Wave" by the Wooden Trombone Quartet.
Manso said the new blends and mixes may make the songs appealing to new fans, but they have practical benefits, too.
"We're an independent label based in Barcelona and we have a small staff, so all the work on these productions is arduous work," he said. "Any cooperation comes in handy, especially as we were able to get these new re-mixes done when we needed them."
Like the Pinker Tones, the Mexico City-based Mexican Institute of Sound also sought new artists to open creative veins.
The group's new CD, "Pi±ata," features several special guests, including members of Tom Tom Club, Fantastic Plastic Machine and Babasonicos.
"Many ... read the complete story >>
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