Collen & Webb - Straight Gay

From Downside Up 12" single, (G.A.M.M. Enterprises Inc) 2009
 

Patric Collen and Pete Webb are a couple of groovy Swedes who are getting noticed for their tasteful mash-ups.  Aside from dozens of remixes, they have so far released three 12" singles on the Stockholm-based G.A.M.M. label.  On this latest plate, they pay tribute to Motown artists Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross, all of which are top quality remixes.  The standout track however must be this one, as with all really great mash-ups, the vocal and rhythm fit together like a hand in a glove.  Indeed, both are absolute classics of their respective (sub)genres.
 
Marvin Gaye's Got To Give It Up was released on the Motown label in 1977 and with his angelic falsetto it represents the soul master at his disco best.  Whilst not strictly a "disco" track in style it definitely captured the glitzy sentiment and hedonism of the era perfectly.  As a youth I remember hearing this song playing everywhere, back when it came out.
 
The backing track is a funky-reggae killer called Mango Walk by Jamaican group, The In Crowd - a studio band in the 1970's lead by the prodigiously talented musician and producer Fil Callender.  Whilst not a household name by any means, he most definitely should be!  As a member of Sound Dimension this dude played drums for Burning Spear and The Gladiators when they were at Studio One.  He also drummed on The Royals' classic Pick Up The Pieces set and played rhythm guitar for The Heptones' Party Time and Night Food albums and on Max Romeo's "Revelation Time", amongst others.  The In Crowd was his own studio project and for their albums he acted as singer, songwriter and producer as well as playing guitar and percussion.  Mango Walk is one of those rare tunes that perfectly melds a dangerously funky vibe with a laidback roots reggae groove and can be heard in its original form on the compilation Darker Than Blue: Soul From Jamdown 1973-1980, released on the Blood & Fire label in 2001.
 
For those that fancy their cheesy Motown classics poured over reggae rhythms, I can also recommend Bost & Bim's new album, The Bombing.  Featuring tasty soul/reggae mash-ups of The Supremes, The Jackson Five, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and even Rick James!
 

Dubhead 

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