Down Jazz Records Fuses Music Legends on 'Detroit Rising Remixes'

Detroit Rising’s remix EP combines musicians from Parliament Funkadelic, Mary J. Blige, Prince, and Public Enemy.

Detroit Rising has been a multi-year project for David Schwartz and his boutique record label, Down Jazz Records. Schwartz’s love of funky tunes and connection to artists who have worked with various influential acts had led him to this endeavor. The heritage of the artists participating in the Detroit Rising project is pretty legendary. It included Parliament Funkadelic, Mary J. Blige, Prince, and Public Enemy.

Detroit Rising Remixes, also listed sometimes as Rocket Love Remix EP, brings together so much talent on one EP. Jimpster and Kaidi Tatham put forward two remixes apiece. Sean McCabe and EVM128 each offer one up to round out the six-track effort.

It’s so wonderful when projects bring together eclectic sounds that incorporate live instruments with electronic music. Detroit Rising does this and more, beautifully encapsulating the sounds of funk and disco from the multi-genre artists in the project. This six-track EP has a little of everything, and something for everyone.

It’s very exciting for me to bring together my heroes in UK jazz house land and have them rework Parliament Funkadelic vocals! The results are fantastic, such a fresh sound on vinyl and digital!
David Schwartz, Founder of Down Jazz Records

This project began with live recording sessions in Detroit at the famous United Sound Motown studios. Schwartz, a drummer himself, brought in Parliament Funkadelic drummer Gabe Gonzalez to manage the band’s alumni. The P-Funk connection carried on with the current band recording in NYC studios, and at George Clinton‘s studio in Florida. Sue Ann Carwell, vocalist for the late Prince, also joined in, as did Public Enemy and Mary J. Blige collaborators.

The result of this musician soup is fun, funky, and ever entertaining. I had the pleasure of dancing to these tunes at the release party last week, where an incredibly diverse audience just couldn’t sit still. The party was in the lobby sound room of a hipster hotel in Brooklyn, and many hotel patrons joined the unexpected party over the course of the night. Take a listen, and I’m sure you’ll agree — this is music to share, and music for dance!

Detroit Rising Remixes is out on vinyl and digital formats now!