Known as the man in black, Johnny Cash will always be an icon in the music industry. With a career spanning 50 years and over 90 million albums sold, Cash's work has and will always be an influence to many other artists. Due to the inspiration Cash's music brings, various artists will release a disc on October 14th, remixing some of Johnny's biggest hits.The disc, appropriately named Johnny Cash Remixed has oddly enough combined Cash's robust, hearty sound with hip hop and modern dance music. Just looking at 2 of the executive producers of the album, Snoop Dog and John Carter Cash should give you an idea of what you in for when you stick the disc in your player. The purpose of remixing songs is too add something to the song, not necessarily make it better but just give it a different sound or feel that makes your ears perk up and say hey, that sounds pretty cool. Now let's break the disc down song by song and see what we come up with.
"I Walk The Line" remixed by QDT Muzic, featuring Snoop himself and it sounds just like a Snoop song, heavy hip hop grooves with some rap mixed in. I'm not a big Snoop fan but his voice paired with Johnny's bass/baritone vocals are interestingly appealing.
"Big River" remixed by Count De Money. This song actually doesn't stray too much from the original song by Cash, maybe a couple of beat break downs in mid song, other than that it sounds pretty much the same
Song 3 is Get Rhythm remixed by Philip Steir. This tune is sped up a little and has a disco or house music feel.
"Doin' My Time" remixed by The Heavy. This song is hip hopped up but most of Johnny's vocals were replaced and it doesn't really appeal to me for that reason.
"Country Boy" remixed by Sonny J. I'm pretty impressed with this remix, it's a very modern funk or soul sound and I actually may like this one better than the original.
"Leave That Junk Alone" remixed by Alabama 3. Kinda modern funk/swag sound. Cash's vocals are again replaced in the beginning of the song but they are there in all their glory throughout the rest.
"Port Of Lonely Hearts" remixed by Midnight Juggernauts. I'm actually not too familiar with Cash's original recording of this song but I can tell you the remix has an airy spaced out feel.
"Folsom Prison Blues" remixed by Pete Rock. This is another song that's not too far off from the original. Just jazzed up a little bit.
"Straight A's In Love" remixed by Troublemaker. I sort of liked this tune but the mix kinda gets me lost in a couple places.
"Sugartime" remixed by Kennedy. I really enjoyed this tune, it has more of a rock feel with some strong guitar. My favorite remix of the album.
"Rock Island Line" remixed by Wolf. This isn't too bad of a remix. Seems to be jazzed up with some extra beats.
"Belshazzar" remixed by Machine Drum. Another remix I really enjoyed. Synthesizers accompany Johnny's voice with the songs familiar guitar riff echoing throughout.
"I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow" remixed by Apparat. Another spaced out light headed feel. I didn't particularly like this remix.
I'm sure there will be people who will say "wait you can't do that to Johnny Cash's music" but I believe Johnny would approve of this disc as he was a maverick who always tried to experiment with his music and doing the unexpected. Heck, not too long before Mr. Cash passed away he covered a NIN tune. How cool is that.
