MUSIC REVIEW: RE:GENERATION MUSIC PROJECT MIXTAPE

Something For The Weekend: A Free Download of Mashed-Up Music Styles & Sensibilities

By: Andrew Shaw

February 3, 2012

(Hyundai Velsoter) Opening in theaters on February 16, 2012 is the long-awaited film for music nerds, by music nerds. The Re:Generation Music Project, directed by Amir Bar Lev, is part music-history, part music-road-movie, and part sociology lesson. Perhaps the broadest collection of musical styles and artists ever to be captured on film, let alone in collaboration, is contained within the 90-minute run-time.

The premise of the film is broad, expansive, and visionary, but it is also fundamentally simple. Genre barriers are healthily ignored, differences are celebrated, mutual respects are established, and a whole bunch of music gets mashed together, proving that music is music is music. DJ Premier, Mark Ronson, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, and The Crystal Method are the DJ/Producers called in to reimagine, rework, and present a whole bunch of traditional, classical, and more modern tunes. Given the names at the helm, it should come as no surprise that most of the music is ultimately danceable and leans toward hook, funk, and good times.

As a teaser to the release of the film, Hyundai Veloster – the people who bring us the project – have made a mixtape of some of the movie's tunes available for free download from the official movie homepage. It’s not often that such a sweet set of quality beats land in one place; it is an even rarer occurrence when such esteemed tunes are made available for free. Of all the qualities apparent in this release, not least is a generosity of spirit that truly reflects the atmosphere of all collaborators, who genuinely appear to be in this for the kicks.

Opening with Skrillex and members of The Doors, “Breakin’ a Sweat” is as beat-heavy, dub-stepped, and perfect as you may expect if the snake had been ridden all the way from the psychedelia of 1960s to the future, which is now. The mixtape has its front door kicked in with this track. It’s solid -- a club-banging wave of brilliance.  The strange and dark energy of The Doors is presented with a gleaming element of production; Skrillex can’t touch anything without making it sound All-Skrillex, but here, a fine equilibrium of forces is established – a genuine collaboration that sets a tone of future expressions. Best thing here is to crank the volume and surrender to proceedings.

There is a palpable seriousness to the collection and the entire Re:Generation Music Project, but that seriousness presents an abundance of celebratory tones. Yes, there is reflection, and at times the music tempers itself with a sort of sadness: “Regeneration” -- the collaboration between Nas, DJ Premier, and the Berklee Symphony Orchestra -- is assertive and reflective at the same time. Orchestral sweeps from the classics appear to have been forever destined just as back-tracks for hip hop. This Nas track alone highlights the ethic of the project – egos truly appear to have been checked at the door. Whatever sounds best is served; no one steals the mic, and everything is shared in the right proportions.

Another decisive moment comes from the gang-like collaboration lead by Mark Ronson with Erykah Badu on vocals, who turns in one of the classiest vocals not just here, but anywhere in her career, amongst the company of Trombone Shorty, Mos Def, Zigaboo Modeliste, and members of The Dap Kings. The track is “A La Modeliste” and it is undeniable, addictive, and pure of New Orleans heart.

The tapestry of beats and tunes, voices and tones that come from such diverse backgrounds and histories finds its center in tracks like “I’m Not Leaving." The Crystal Method take to the producers' booth as legendary Martha Reeves buddies up with The Funk Brothers for one of the most successfully soulful expressions in the mix. The track is steeped in history and obvious funk, but is also sonically modern; and like The Doors/Skrillex's opening track, the feel is that this is where intention had been leading all along, from way back when in modern musical history.

In short, there are too many flavors here to even comprehend. It’s a bag of musical jelly beans – the mix of colors, origins, and combinations can’t really be defined -- not unless you really want to nerd-out and dissect the magic. Intention is to share the spirit and to illustrate our common experience, and to define progress by what we accept, not by what we reject. In that sense, intention succeeds, and intention is everything.

For music fans of any and all genres, here is a release – a FREE release – that is simply essential. It is a point of reference within modern music and provides previously unchartered inspirations and angles. 

Standout Tracks: "A La Modeliste," "I'm Not Leaving," "Regeneration"

For Fans Of: Erykah Badu, Nas, The Crystal Method, Martha Reeves, Skrillex

Watch the Buzzine Re:Generation Music Project interview with The Crystal Method.

Check out the Buzzine Re:Generation Music Project preview Gallery.