Throwback Thursdays #3: "Holla Holla"

A few weeks ago, Wes and I started participating in this thing on Twitter called "Throwback Thursdays."  Basically, after one of our many conversations about the current state of music and taking into consideration the large percentage of what we consider "wack, unbearable, bull$#!" that's out there today, we realized that there was music from the early 2000s that we didn't give a fair chance back in its time; yeah we may have slept on it, but only because the bar was set really high back then, or at least it seemed to be.  Another generation, a different time zone.


So in retrospect, after listening to several popular records from the "aughties," we have a newfound appreciation for them- thus, our version of "Throwback Thursday" was born.  Previous inductees include Ja Rule & Ashanti's "Down 4 U," and 112's "Anywhere."  This week, I'm bringing it back to The Inc. with Ja Rule's 1999 debut single, "Holla Holla."  This dude just had sick energy on the mic and on camera and his hooks were solid and conistent.  It's murdaaaaa! 

Ja slam dancing on the 6-4 circa 1999

Video: Mayer Hawthorne- "Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin'"

Good, clean summer fun from Mayer Hawthorne and the good people at Stones Throw Records.

Paul Thomas: "Smackin' Your Gum"

Errything ain't hardcore you know!  


I can't sing, but I'ma let my man...my girl...my man?  I'm confused...


Anyway, check out the video for a track we did with "comedeogenic" Chicagoan, Paul Thomas. The track's called "Smackin' Your Gum," it was conceived, written, produced, recorded, and mixed right here at The Bank.  Also watch for a cameo from your boy TJ performing as a "club douchebag."


WARNING:  You may be disturbed by this video...probably.





Paul says, "To be a successful R&B singer, you gotta love yourself."  
I think my man (my girl?) may have taken it too far...probably.


For more skits, music, and general hilarity, go to www.bigheadpaul.com

"Miami Affair"

The 2010 Winter Music Conference kicked off this week in Miami Beach, so we thought it was only appropriate to share a track we made about those hot Florida nights.

"Miami Affair" is a song from Doug Rich, a brother from the Chi we had the opportunity to work with last year.  The track features appearances by Virus and Bruce Blacc, with R&B crooner John-Jon on the hook.  "Miami Affair" was produced, recorded, & mixed at The Bank and mastered at Sterling Sound, NYC.  Doug's full length album, Boot Camp, has yet to be released.

Download:  Doug Rich, Miami Affair  

-TJ

Bank Remixes Part 4: "You're Not My Girl"

Remix 4 is up, check out the video!  I had fun with this Ryan Leslie song, as it was originally recorded at 108 bpm- a nice break from the slower tempos of most of today's hip hop and r&b.


I'm not really sure how to classify this remix; it's not really genre specific, but it has a loungy-club vibe that's somehow able to be laid back even with some aggressive, off-kilter drums.


You can download this remix by clicking the image below. If you're an artist interested in using the the track for your own project, email us:  info@thebankinc.com


-TJ

click the image to download the track.

Bank Remixes Part 2: "Forever"

Thanks to everyone who downloaded our first remix, the response was good enough to warrant that we keep this little experiment going.


I mixed "Always Strapped" in the box (within the DAW) and it came out pretty good.  This time around, Wes mixed "Forever" on the SSL.  If you compare the two songs, the differences in depth and warmth of sound are striking.  My only real gripe with this remix is the source audio of the a capella for "Forever."  The vocals were riddled with filters and processing (especially on Em's verse for some reason) that degraded the audio quality, and there wasn't much we could do but to work around what was there.  The instrumental sounds much fuller and clearer, but overall I think this remix came out really well.  

Check out the video and let me know what you think.  If you like it, click the image link below to download it!


As with all of the remixes we do, the instrumental is available for artists to spit on.  If you're interested, email us at info@thebankinc.com.


-TJ

click the image to download the track!