BILLBOARD - July 24, 2004
What
happens when inspiration for a dance-pop jam is derived
from Rossini's classic opera "The Barber of Seville"?
Well, in the hands of Don Manuel—aka singer Manny
Perez and producer Monster Taxi (aka Jason Klein, who masterminded
last year's "Ave Maria" by Magic Sauce)—it
is jarring and endearing. It's also one of those quirky,
left-of-center, sugar-coated confections that, given the
right promotion (or placement in the right TV ad), could
become this year's one-hit wonder in the United States or
the United Kingdom. In the radio-friendly original version,
Perez's operatic stylings are surrounded by rock-hued electronic
beats (à la Fatboy Slim) and zany, cartoon-like synth
swirls. As fun as this version is, many club DJs will simply
find it too pop. For them, DJ Cubanito and Andy Sikorski
deliver, respectively, tasty tribal and trance reconstructions.
While this one may be an acquired taste, it helps to keep
an open mind. Written by Michael Paoletta (Album and Single
Reviews)
BILLBOARD
- April 5, 2003
Miami-based
producer remixer Jason Klein (who also records under the
Monster Taxi moniker) recently reconstructed tracks by Jim
Brickman, Los Tigres Del Norte, and late Cuban singer Beny
More. These days, Klein is busy collaborating with singers
Pepper Mashay and former Expose member Gioia. At the same
time, he's shopping a finished track, "Soho" by
Chaz Hart (aka Klein and DJ Austin Leeds). Equal parts Daft
Punk and Dirty Vegas, "Soho" is the type of track
that could effortlessly traverse that slippery slope between
underground club credibility and mainstream radio success.
Written by Michael Paoletta (Dance / Electronic Column)
Jason
Klein produces 7 tracks for the release of Beny More's "The
King of Son"(March 2003)
Instead of releasing
another greatest hits package for famed Cuban singer, Beny
More, BMG and RCA records enlisted Jason Klein to produce
adaptations of the famed the singer, who passed away 40
years ago. The CD contains 7 of Jason's productions, along
with the original masters, plus 5 never before heard recordings
from Beny.
Using
Beny's original vocals and his horn sections, Jason created
new music and rhythms. Klein collaborated with such notable
artists and producers as rapper P-Dirty, dance remixer Alex
Carmenates and dance artist "Oba" Frank Lords.
Beny More's classics are mixed with various styles of music
including hip hop, rock, Euro dance club, and 50's doo-wop.
Klein's
production of "Bonito y Sabroso 2003" is set to
be the first single with video and radio play.
Grammy
winners "Los Tigres Del Norte" of Mexico take
a ride on the Monster Taxi (Dec 2002)
Monster Taxi recently remixed Los Tigres
Del Norte's hit single "La Reina Del Sur". A ranchero
band with a sound reminiscent of Polka meets country, Jason
Klein combined it with hip hop and raggaton beats and samples
from the Miami Vice theme song. Jason had the honor of having
latin rapper Enos provide crazy raps and chants to the Monster
Taxi mix. Enos' track "Leche" has been all over
the latin charts during fall of 2002.
Monster
Taxi takes Jim Brickman into the dance clubs (Fall 2002)
Famed
pianist and composer, Jim Brickman collaborated with Jane
Krakowski (Ally McBeal's secretary) for the ballad "You".
Monster Taxi and Guiseppe Di provided the radio and club
mixes. Both versions have been charting all the country
in various record pool charts and can be heard on mix shows
and on DJ promo CD's.
|