Biz Markie - "It's Spring Again (Altered Tapes Re-Work)"

Chicago-based duo Altered Tapes have been on a tear recently mining some well-worn funk/rap/soul territory for current-era partiers. In what may be th

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Complex Original

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Chicago-based duo Altered Tapes have been on a tear recently mining some well-worn funk/rap/soul territory for current-era partiers. In what may be their best work-to-date, the tandem resurrects the funk, disco, reggae and rap vibes present in Biz Markie's 1991 classic "It's Spring Again" and re-work the dreamy romantic groove into a diverse dance floor winner. Of course, given that the component pieces dredged out of Biz Markie's single for this remix are Third World's disco-tinged reggae classic "Now That We've Found Love," Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's soulful disco hit "Back Together Again," and of course James Brown drummer Clyde Stubblefield's rap and dance-important drum break-down on "Funky Drummer," it means that this is a remix that certainly has a plethora of possible permutations.

Intriguingly, though the least gifted of the many vocalists just named, it's the Biz's vocal loop that wraps around the three sections of this track and offers cohesion. Starting as a funky, thick and heaving disco beast, the breakdown comes and we're dipped into Third World's reggae vibes, and as the track draws to a close, the vibes feel more hip-house than anything else, owing significantly to the rap legend's original hit. Definitely worthy of immediate addition to everything from working DJs sets to mixes, playlists and more, it's top-shelf material for certain.

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