Here comes the weekly blog roundup again – a couple more nice writeups here and there, I think the initial coverage is finally cooling down – I managed to pull in over 100 reviews, and they were all pleasant-to-awesome! I’m very grateful!
And before I get started, I’d like to direct people’s attention to one of the original Philly soul bands from the 1970’s, The Stylistics. I’ve been a fan since I was wee, thanks to my white Jewish dad’s curious love for Philly soul… been listening to their first album all morning, today, and it just slays…
nickjamvendetta – “The sounds feel as if it’s from an 80’s movie that was dubbed onto VHS, but only highly produced to sound from none other than a gold plated 808… This release is bursting out a plain ol’ bunch of fun funk for the day or night”
Longon, ON: Burgeoning Metropolis – “Sounds like its taken a backing track from a hidden song from M’Js Off the Wall and… well, it just has a very 80s feel”
Lemoncat [Blog in Madrid] – “Electrofunk popero desde el Bronx, con muchos synthes, guitarreo y vocales con humor. Buen EP, ecléctico e intenso” ["Electrofunk popero" may very well be the coolest thing anyone's ever called me]
Chic Moustache Club [re: Parker & Lewis remix of PAP] – “A new remix of Pink and Purple (THE track which is now parts of my heart and my daily ‘Life is cool’ training)”
It’s been a BUSY week for your pal, Willikers… Just finding some time to come up for air this mornin’. Been plugging away at writing for some fancy poppers, took a pass at writing a theme song for a TV show, and one of the top-secret remixes I mentioned a while back is properly done! I heard the final master on Friday and it sounds slammin! As soon as I’m able to share any of the above, I WILL!!!
The feedback from the “Dorm Life” episode’s been great – people apparently REALLY watch that show! If you missed my little feature on Monday, check out the post HERE.
And moving along, the reviews continue to roll in – if you can believe it, I’ve almost hit 100 reviews and/or honorable mentions, and they’ve ALL BEEN POSITIVE so far! Here goes:
Groovin’ You – “A crazy mixture of styles and genres that somehow manage to come together to form a cohesive whole… Packed with catchy and infectious vocodered vocals and synth melodies layered over a bubbling bassline, lo-fi shuffling drum machines and more meaty percussion… An impressive and varied release, so much so that it was tough to decide which tracks to post.”
Hot Biscuits – “[re: 'Snuggle Up'] A fun summer track that would be great in the background of an afternoon gathering…”
I was on the Contrast Podcast this week! For those of you unfamiliar with it, it’s this awesome podcast founded by an awesome gentleman named Tim Young who recently just moved to France, and said of his recent move, “I’ve had wine with every meal so far!”
Basically, it involves a theme each week, and various bloggers and fans submit songs that best fit the theme. Say the theme is “songs about loving more than humanly possible,” I might cleverly suggest “8 Days a Week” by the Beatles :)
A few times a year, Tim opens the podcast up to musicians, including yours truly… We get to introduce ourselves + then put on a song… It’s an awesome way to discover new music, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it for the 2nd time!
Writing to you today from Miami, Florida… On a much-needed vacation, soaking up some rays and chugging gallons of Cuban Café con Leche, alternatively known as my kryptonite.
So here’s the blog roundup for the week – reviews continue to roll in, and people are saying some lovely things!
Also, the record is getting some serious love on AmieStreet.com! It was featured on their homepage, they did a little post about me, and “Snuggle Up…” has been on their Top 25 chart all week! If you haven’t already bought the album, it’s available for under $2 (last I checked, at least): PINK AND PURPLE ON AMIE STREET
On to some reviews…
Paper Magazine [Interview] – “An explosion of retro-inspired, electro-funk-tastic, booty-shaking goodness”
Amie Street Blog – “Looking for that retro dance track to put on your summer mix? Intrigued by the idea of fusing musical concepts that range from disco and stadium rock to synthed-out ’80s pop ballads? Sick of playing Purple Rain over and over? These jams will have you grooving your way through the Reagan years”
Slice – “From the funky guitar lines to the high-pitch vocal hook-lines, it’s all here… ‘Pink And Purple’ is the perfect late-night driving track with some of the best synth solos I’ve heard in years… A wonderful homage to the history of pop, and music itself. Buy. This. Now.”
You Sound Like a Robot – “Supremely grooveable beats… Bringing back the sounds of the 1980’s all while adding his own special touch.”
Off the Radar – “A very funky/synthy dancey blend… Perfect for the summer.”
Fuzzy Thoughts – “It is, through and through, a funky throwback that ultimately leaves a lasting impression despite being a mere 26 minutes… Wilkis accomplishes so much on Pink and Purple that it’s hard to believe it is an EP… There’s no filler whatsoever.”
It’s The Money Shot – “He actually seems to really like making music more than he likes being cool, and it shows in his songs.” [This one is kind of hilarious, has an amazing music video idea for 'Gotta Get You Back']
Danger Danger – “Thank you again, Alan Wilkis. You are a genius in my eyes.”
Indie Passion – “Clearly derived from the synth-laden funk rock of the early 80’s, but it’s never derivative. There is something immediate and familiar about the tunes.”
IndieRocker.net [Review from Brazil! Any Portuguese speakers out there?]
Hope everybody had a glorious firework-filled 4th o’ July! I ate 1000 hot dogs and hamburgers, and passed out by a pool… And for those of you not in the US, hope you had a nice Saturday, possibly with recreational fireworks and BBQ as well?
The “Pink and Purple” reviews continue to roll in and hot damn people seem to like it! Before I re-cap, wanted to update everybody on all things AW. Just completed work on a remix for a group many of you know, and going to get cracking on another 2 pretty soon. At the moment, they’re all sorta top-secret, but as soon as I’m at liberty to say, I’ll be sharing with y’all, I promise!
There’s also a few Pink and Purple surprise remixes coming in from some awesome folks from ALL OVER THE WORLD! I’m talkin global, baby! Also working on some video-y things at the moment… All of which will be up online for you to stream and/or download over the course of the summer.
And lastly, just began working on co-producing the next record for some good friends of mine, Project Jenny, Project Jan. They are so talented and so much fun to work with, and y’all should check them out!
Here’s some recent bloggin’ ’bout PAP:
Bag Of Songs – “A smoking six song set… Blends his influences into a synth fueled, soul funk tour de force, that in a perfect world should be blasting out of radios all summer long”
Chic Moustache Club – [AW Interview + Review in French... rough translation] “Fresh… It gets us out at night to repaint the clouds with a purple pencil.”
Mixtape Maestro – “Slick, ’80’s-era White boy funk / R&B… Rather than simply using new wave-y synths, electro-funk glitz and synthethic drum sounds as mere accents, AW takes things so much more further, showcasing an amazingly deft education in that era’s vibe with tunes that actually sound as if it they could’ve been on the charts way back when… Trust us. Cop the set, then sit back and press play”
Ice and Deers – “More eighties than the eighties were in the best way possible… Put your silk shirt, ray bans and cut off jeans on, start the convertible porsche up and give Pink & Purple a listen here.
Adventures in Solitude – “The soundtrack of my bus journeys and the occasional car trip… Completely packed with retro synths, 808s, vocoders and anything else you can imagine. EVERY song has it’s own hook… I am instantly left wanting for more… Ridiculously loveable cheesy beats. Please tell me what’s not to love. Perfect for cruising down the road and basically for anything else! Check him out!”
Owl and Bear – [AW Guest Post + Review] “It’s a blast… His style will take you by surprise, but it’s a good thing—and it’s plain that he writes for sheer enjoyment.”
See What You Hear – “Retro electro-pop… I hear even more specific elements to name check: George Clinton, The Delfonics and Rockwell.”
Indiehere – “This album has Electro Funk written all over it, with the clever use of voice modulators and late 70’s early 80’s disco funk beats… Allows electronc sounds to sit comfortably with the funk and sexiness that only Disco can bring”
Stop Sleeping, Yo – “Essentially a dance record, for those who like to dance and shake their ass(es). For fans of Chromeo and 80s-influenced electro. This be fo’ you.”
WDPK 83.7 FM – “Possesses soul and r&b elements fused with ’80s retro to create something all in itself”
We Wore Masks – “If you can’t dance to this, then you probably hate yourself” [HAHAHAHAHAHA... wow...]
Welcome to Wilcassettes, the home of everything Alan Wilkis. Alan is a Brooklyn-based music producer and remixer. His latest project is called "PRINTS" and can be found here: http://www.prints.fm
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