Ishan - Kure Remix (Track Review)

Ishan has been the revelation of the year, he straight up came out of nowhere and is now dominating the music game with his monster jam Kure which features another high flying artist Ti Gonzi. This track worked it's way towards the top winning fans one at a time, it's a true definition of how good music will always rise to the top regardless of the artist being an unknown, cream always rises to the top. 

This track brought a refreshing vibe to the industry which many are loving. Judging by the first half of the year, there is no track which has received as much love as Kure, yes there are a number of other urban jams currently getting a lot of love; (Takura's Zvemoyo, Tamy's Kwandinobva, Leonard Mapfumo's Masimukiro, ASAPH's V.I.C, Ti Gonzi's Mabazooker Enzo nemaPumacol...just to mention a few) but none is as big as Kure. One strength of the track was that it came with some refreshing and entertaining visuals which made it a complete package.

Now when you debut track makes such noise the pressure will be on your next move, the move that will determine whether you will be a one hit wonder or you're here to stay. The follow up track is always going to be under a lot of scrutiny, it will be unfairly compared. However Ishan has already delivered a follow up jam titled Shore and I am loving it, many seem to be loving the jam too. I feel it's a fitting follow up and can be a hit on its own but unfortunately the Kure craze has not subsided yet and that is affecting the attention given to the track. Ishan has noticed that and instead of pushing Shore he has opted for a proven strategy which can be used to prolong the effect and impact of a hit track, make a remix!.

Making a remix of a beloved hit track is an excellent but highly risky strategy, one risks making the lackluster remix which will disappoint fans and affect the appeal of the original jam. There are many decisions to be made in order to make a fitting remix; the choice and dynamics of chosen collaborators (will the different styles complement each other?, will there be chemistry?, will the artists bring the x factor?) and also how the instrumental will be reconstructed, what will we keep from the original and what will we change??

The Kure remix has dropped have listened to this remix for a couple of days now.  Decided to share my thoughts on the remix which are as below. To make it interesting have split my review into 3 sections; (1) the instrumental arrangements and overall production of the track, (2) The vocal arrangements and chemistry among the artists and lastly (3) the visuals and overall feel of the jam.

Instrumental

They injected some energy into the instrumental whilst keeping the vibe of the original track. The reconstruction I have to admit is superbly done, the instrumental did a superb job in providing solid bases for the different artists. One of the main jobs of an instrumental is to provide a complementing and a solid platform for the vocals to shine and the instrumental on this remix did just that. Loved the EDM influences which followed the choruses. The overall vibe is on point, cannot fault the instrumental.

Vocals

This was arguably the toughest part, deciding who starts, who follows, who sings here or there and I have to say they also did quite a good job on that. Different artists performed differently and below is how I felt about each one of them: 

• Enzo Ishall is on purple patch and his selection guaranteed many listeners helping with the mass appeal of the track whilst also providing him a platform to showcase how diverse he can be. When I first heard this track on radio was not so bought on his performance but when I watched the video it all clicked and I enjoyed his performance, he brought his unique style and complemented the instrumental quite well. 
• FRYA did a good job on the relatively smaller parts she was called upon, she added that sweet female touch to the track. It was my first time hearing about her and she did well. 
• Killer T was in his gospel kind of mood and delivered a similar performance as to what he does on  many of his songs. Killer T has one style and fortunately for him it seem to work on many type of tracks. His verse was okay.
• Ti Gonzi was his usual playful self, delivering bar after bar. Admittedly some bars are better than others but he did a commendable job nonetheless.
• Mussa Effect played more of a background role, he harmonized well with Ishan on the chorus which is my favourite part of the track. 
• Dobba Don I believe was selected for his ability to deliver on collaborations, his Soul Jah Love kind of vocals have done wonders for him over his erratic career but I do not feel him on this track. His verse was the least interesting on the whole track, removing him would not have changed the track in any way. I  believe having having the actual creator of this singing style Makuruwani would have been way way better.
• Ishan only restricted himself to the chorus and alongside Mussa Effect did a solid job, he has good clean vocals and they shine on the chorus.

Visuals.

If you ask me the visuals are what knits the whole track together. They worked wonders on the original and on this track they are doing the same. They knit together the vibe making the track even better and more entertaining. Alongside the original track visuals they will both be competing for video of the year come awards season. The visuals are well directed and shots well composed, they tell the Zim story in a proud way and that is what we require from visuals in this era. Loved the visuals.

In Conclusion this remix came at a good time given how a number of people are now starting to complain about the original being overplayed, it will now offer a refreshing option to a now familiar song. The various artists selected managed to complement each other quite well. I have enjoyed this track more than I expected, despite a number of people hating on the track on social media platforms I feel its quite a respectable remix. It's not better than the original but it not bad also. 

What are your thoughts on Kure Remix ???

Proud_Zimbo