Diplo - Decent Work For Decent Pay
Review by Jack Foley
WHEN Wes Pentz – aka Diplo – released his debut album, Florida, on the Big Dada label in the autumn of 2004, he was a relatively obscure DJ and producer from Philadelphia.
Through the success of his club night, Hollertronix, production, tireless unearthing of new dance trends from around the world (in particular, Brazil), the inception of his own label Mad Decent and, of course, his t DJ sets, Diplo is now a major force in music culture across the planet.
He recently even bagged a grammy nomination for his work on M.I.A’s Paper Planes.
As a result, he’s become a go-to name for production and remix work for some of the most exciting acts around.
Decent Work For Decent Pay provides an overview of what Diplo has been up to for the past four years, starting with classic tracks and out-takes from Florida, taking in production work on such huge records as M.I.A’s Paper Planes and Bonde Do Role’s first album for Domino, plus a host of remixes for the likes of CSS, Spank Rock, Bloc Party and Peter, Bjorn & John.
Also included on the finished version will be a data file of mp3s including the individual tunes recorded for the Diplo Rhythm, the Johnny Blaze remix of Way More, the video for Percao and Diplo’s remix of Spoon’s Don’t You Evah.
And for the most part, it’s a cracking listen. Standout picks include, almost predictably, his remix of M.I.A’s Paper Planes (currently getting a new lease of life because of its includion on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack, in original form), and Kano’s Reload It – an excellent showcase of the combined talents of both artists.
Diplo’s own Newsflash is well worth a spin, too, as is the funk-tastic workout that is Spank Rock’s Put That Pussy On Me.
While his Brazilian influences extend to his remix work on CSS’ upbeat Lets Make Love and, most impressively, Bonde De Role’s samba-infused Solta O Frango – a good song for a rainy day.
Last but not least, his remix of Black Lips’ Veni Vidi Vici is also pretty darn cool, too.
There are misfires, such as his remixes of Bloc Party’s Where Is Home? and Peter, Bjorn and John’s Young Folks – but for the majority of the time, this is ample proof of why Diplo continues to be so in demand.
Download picks: Newsflash, Paper Planes, Put That Pussy On Me, Salta O Frango, Way More Brazil, Veni Vedi Vici
Track listing: