Waajeed - Motor City Madness Remixes [Tresor]

Announcing the release of “Memoirs of Hi-Tech Jazz”, the forthcoming album from Detroit-born and based artist Waajeed, the 12” record features further explorations of the track’s motifs by revered Detroit collective Underground Resistance, Zambian producer SHE Spells Doom, and a special reimagining by Waajeed himself featuring live drums.

Alongside the LP version, the three remixes further explore the ties between Techno and Jazz, both styles grounded in African traditions that comment on the present but are always oriented toward the potential in the future.

On the People Mover Remix, Waajeed enlists the talent of Zo!, Tall Black Guy, Michele Manzo, and more to explore one end of the track’s musical heritage. Syncopated drums, propelled by a full and glistening soundboard, firmly situate this version in the realm of contemporary Jazz emanating from Detroit and cities across the United States.

Coming from an album inspired by revolutionary efforts against oppression in Detroit and Black locations around the world, it is entirely appropriate that Underground Resistance provides their take on “Motor City Madness.” UR’s Mike Banks follows the original’s lead of genre-blending. By thickening the bassline, splashing the mix with additional brass from the Mad Brass Section, and adding strings courtesy of Six Mile Strings, UR further explores the dynamic intersection of music, history, and geography.

SHE Spells Doom closes out the remix package with her second Tresor outing following her contribution to 2021’s Tresor30 compilation. The Zambian artist strips “Motor City Madness” down to the bones of the brass section and infuses a gqom beat, simultaneously referencing the deeper roots of Jazz and Techno in Africa, as well as suggesting where they might be heading in the future.