SONG OF THE DAY: Happy Enemies – Hood Anthem

Last week while at the Winter Music Conference, I asked several producers how they name their instrumental tracks.? Since many said it was based on the spirit or emotion, I guess it is time for me to make a trip to Israel – or the “Hood” of the Happy Enemies.? The Israeli duo have channelled the energy of classic hard-hitting euro tracks like 666 “Amokk” and Sash “Intercontinental Invaders” and added the deeper, moody breaks that are currently de rigeur.? The contrasts makes both elements even stronger.? Add in a triplet and broken beat passages to mix things up and the constant changing beats make “Hood Anthem” one of the freshest-sounding bangers of the year so far.? The fact that it is a free download from their Soundcloud makes it even more enticing, as does the fact that their next release is coming soon on Armada.

happy enemies hood anthem

INTERVIEW: Shannon (2012)

Shannon is often credited as having creating the freestyle sound. Her signature record “Let the Music Play” is the genre-defining classic which continues to be a massive club anthem to this day.? If you look around online, there are many conflicting stories about how the song came to be. At the Promo Only Summer Session in Atlantic City, I chatted with the legendary Shannon and got the real story.? Watch for a special 30th Anniversary “Let the Music Play” tour next year, along with long-awaited new material from the legendary Shannon.

Ron Slomowicz: You started as a jazz singer, how did you make it from jazz into dance music?

Shannon: Someone was looking for a singer and had a particular style in mind; I guess I fit the bill. The producers were looking for a singer because ?Let The Music Play? was a rap song and they had put a basic melody to it. When I came, I had a unique style because of the jazz, it was very sultry and yet I could really belt it. I have a pretty loud voice when I belt, I was belting out the notes and adding little additions to the song. They loved it and said I was their girl.
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