Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly / DJ Hollywood – Before I Let Go / Hollywood Message [Mr.K Edits]

Mr. KことDanny KrivitがFrankie Beverly and Mazeの名曲『Before I Let Go』とヒップホップのパイオニアDJ Hollywoodの『Hollywood's Message』を7インチ向けにリエディット！

Mr. Kが贈る7インチ編集盤の傑作。時代を超えて愛されるDJ必須曲と、プロト・ヒップホップのインストゥルメンタルを7インチ・ヴァイナル向けに最適化した。

A面はFrankie Beverly and Mazeの名曲『Before I Let Go』をエクステンデッド編集。1981年のライブアルバム『Live In New Orleans』に収録されたこのトラックは隠れたヒット作だ。ブラック・ミュージックのラジオで大流行し、クラブから家族のバーベキューまであらゆる場で必須の定番曲となった。1991年にブートレグのMoo RecordsからリリースされたGail "Sky" Kingによるリエディット・ヴァージョンは、巧みに拡張されたイントロとアウトロでDJたちに愛された。Mr. Kは高音質ソースを使用し、Gail "Sky" Kingの編集の名所を再現しながら7インチフォーマット向けに最適化。

B面はヒップホップ・パイオニアDJ Hollywoodの『Hollywood's Message』。Mr. Kが手掛けた『Love Is The Message』リエディット・ヴァージョンのグルーヴィーなクラビネット・ブレイクをベースに、Millie Jacksonの『Now That I Got Your Attention Again』をイントロとして追加。ディスコ・ツールとしても使える機能的な仕上がりだ。

「どちらも私がニューヨークの伝説的ローラーディスコ『Roxy』で学んだ曲」とKrivitは語る。家庭用Hi-Fiからクラブ・システムまでを想定したマスタリングで、7インチ・ヴァイナルの可能性を最大限に引き出した一枚。DJ必携の音源がここに完成した。

A    Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly–    Before I Let Go (7-Inch Edit)    5:39
B    DJ Hollywood–    Hollywood Message (7-Inch Edit)    5:16

Mr. K is back with a tribute to one of the great tape editors that updates a timeless DJ crate staple, plus a proto-hip hop instrumental that works as a standalone groove or a useful disco tool, specially reworked for maximum sonic potential on the compact vinyl format.

First up is an extended edit of the Frankie Beverly and Maze sureshot “Before I Let Go.” Originally released on the best-selling 1981 Live In New Orleans LP, the track was not actually a concert recording but a new studio track made to fill out the final “D-side” of the double album live release. A smash hit on Black radio right out of the box, “Before I Let Go” was chosen as a single and went on to become a must-play standard for parties of all varieties, from club nights to family barbecues. 1991 saw the noteable edit on Moo Records that quickly became a DJ favorite with its skillfully extended intro and outro. Some 30 years later it can be revealed that this was the work of beloved NYC DJ and editor Gail “Sky” King, a formidable technician with the razor and tape, who considered this one of her best works. “Gail’s edit was unfortunately pressed at the lowest quality,” Krivit explains, “and as good and useful as the edit was, I often chose not to play it because of its harsh quality.” Working from a new, high resolution source, Mr. K carefully recreated some of King’s iconic highlights, while optimizing it for the 7-inch format.

Our flip side is a bit more unusual, but also a fun and funky one. legendary hip-hop pioneer DJ Hollywood, “Hollywood’s Message” was a self-released single from the man who was one of the first to grab the microphone at a jam and rhyme over records. In this case however, as a backing track for his rhymes Hollywood took a shortcut and used the renowned “Love Is The Message” edit created by Mr. K that repeatedly runs the groovy clavinet break from MFSB’s tune. Mr. K tightens up the instrumental chant version for it's first time on a 7" release, also adding a touch of Millie Jackson "Now That I Got Your Attention Again" at the top of the song as an intro, which in itself could be used to introduce almost anything, all custom fitted for 7-inch vinyl.