Red Bull Music Academy alumnus Ta-ku is a producer that's near to DAD's heart. Like us, he's a hip-hop head who started dippling in the electronic music pool, and it's worked out well since. He applies that mentality to his beats, and with the rise of the 808s and the whole "trap" phenomenon in the dance music world, Ta-ku's emerging at the right time. His solo work has been phenomenal, with two versions of his RE-TWERK series getting constant rotation in our homes and in the mixes of DJs like Baauer, as well as being featured on POTATO's guest mix series, and multiple appearances on the Boiler Room.
One of the best parts of Ta-ku's repetoire is his ability to craft great remixes. Whether its picking up a great indie rock track and turning it into something more rhythmic, or reworking tracks from the dance music scene into something deeper and jam-packed with 808s, Ta-ku knows how to reimagine tracks with the best of them. He's consistently provided new remixes on a regular basis, and we wanted to look at these and really examine why seeing "Ta-ku remix" makes us smile instantly. Here are Ta-ku's 15 best remixes.
Sid Pattni - "Got To Learn Sometimes (Ta-ku Remix)"
Sid Pattni is an artist from Perth with an interesting voice, especially when Ta-ku is applying those filters to it. This one turns into a late night romp, with the hi-hats adding some awesome swagger to the track.
Snakadaktal - "Dance Bear (Ta-ku Remix)"
Indie groups must love Ta-ku. The original "Dance Bear" has a few mellow moments, but Ta-ku turns the majority of the track into a "mellow" moment. You have to admire the kick he used in the middle; it sounds so LIVE.
FPRF - "Crystallization Point (Ta-ku Remix)"
Speaking of indie sounds, this might be the best example of Ta-ku incorporating loads of guitars into tune, really beefing up the quirky indie sensibilities that some tracks have while still putting his stamp on the tune. Music to zone out to.
Sid Pattni - "Mr. Alpha (Ta-ku Remix)"
Sid Pattni with two Ta-ku remixes? So generous. Ta-ku gives us one of the weirder tunes from his studio, with some ominous edits to Sid's singing (we think?) are thrown into this super downtempo tune, providing a proper lurching vibe to the track.
Strange Talk - "Picking Up All The Pieces (Ta-ku Remix)"
Sometimes, your track just needs a little more "oomph." That lyric was just so fresh, Ta-ku kept it flowing, giving us a solid bridge to drive across to Boomington. His 808 game is so serious.
Ghost Loft - "Seconds (Ta-ku Remix)"
This rework feels built backwards; Ta-ku normally starts out smaller and slowly adds elements until we hit a fever pitch, and everything comes crashing down at once. On this one, while the huge beats aren't there, his "Seconds" remix has a more epic set of synths being thrown in at the start, like the huge wave was incoming, only to then hit the shore and crash out calmly.
JMSN - "Love & Pain (Ta-ku Remix)"
JMSN was featured on Ta-ku's Make It Last EP, so it makes sense that he kicks the throwback charm up a notch for his rework of "Love & Pain." Def beats for bedroom eyes.
Marble - "L.L. (Ta-ku Remix)"
The original "L.L." can be a bit wild, as it goes through a few movements during it's stay, but leave it to Ta-ku to isolate one portion and built his chilled rendition upon that. And yes, it's totally dropping swag-goo.
Until the Ribbon Breaks - "Pressure (Ta-ku Remix)"
Until the Ribbon Breaks is one of those groups we just got put on to, and Ta-ku's take on "Pressure" helped keep them in rotation. The 808s on this one are especially mean, especially when he let's the real bass bang midway. How we're getting low and feeling like we're being elevated at the same damn time speaks to the brilliance of Ta-ku's gift.
Clubfeet - "Everything You Wanted (Ta-ku Remix)"
Intense. Ta-ku has a thing for starting tracks out in a calm fashion, then stacking them high like a heated game of Jenga. It can only get so tall before the bottom drops, and with this rework of Clubfeet's "Everything You Wanted," we get this slithery bassline (which has to be part anaconda) snaking its way from underneath before being beaten back into it's den...
The Presets - "Fall (Ta-ku Remix)"
To quote Big Sean, "oh gawd!" We're surprised more trap DJs didn't pick up on this one. This sounds right at home with the cluttered scene, only it's done right. He pairs his huge bass with some odd melodies, fortifying a massive wall of sound. It's different, it bangs, and is much better than a number of the tracks people got hooked on.
Justin Timberlake - "Suit & Tie (Ta-ku Remix)"
Ta-ku (along with Casey Ormond) turned in a turned-down version of "Suit & Tie," relying on the melodies they spiced up for their rendition and the funky bounce to set this one apart. Justin's vocals still play front and center, but this one is more summertime afternoon cool than the original's Saturday evening flash.
Flume ft. Chet Faker - "Left Alone (Ta-ku Remix)"
We're wondering if Flume made it a point to knock out an intriguing rework of "Left Alone" for his fellow Australian Flume. Flume called it "huge," and that sums it up. From the skittering hi-hats to that otherworldly bassline that's thrown around, this one will be ingrained in your brain with no chance of leaving any time soon.
Sango - "Owe Me (Ta-ku Remix)"
Normally, we're not huge fans of the remix of a remix. It could be the modern classic that is Nas's Ginuwine-features "You Owe Me," or the fact that Sango's edit of said Nas tune was just that good. Regardless of what it is, Ta-ku took Sango's rework to a new zone, adding that signature fuzzy bassline to Ginuwine's vocals, this one turns into one of those tracks that you can't do much else but let the song wash over you. So hit play and do just that.
Mt. Eden - "Sierra Leone (Ta-ku Remix)"
This is everything. The epitome of the beauty that is Ta-ku's electronic side, with the calm before the storm style coming to true fruition on this rework of Mt. Eden's "Sierra Leone." He's mastered the use of chopping vocals to create his own melodies, injecting properly screwed lyrics into the track, then pulling the entire rug and floorboards from under you before bashing you with a gigantic bassline. The bass is crunchy and thick, and is layered beautifully under the lighter side of the track. Monstrous.