illywhacker - Smokin' Aces - 2020

Before we begin!!!

The Smokin' Aces playlist is now available to follow and stream on Spotify, it'll be updated weekly with all the tunes featuring in these blog posts.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4oV9djxq6DviiZQgroTClE?si=xHHI31N7RXSux1_pEfcTnQ

Number 21!

This gem actually played on my Spotify whilst I was writing the last blog post, lurking in the depths of my 'liked' tunes on the platform; I forgot just how good it was, so I decided that it had to be the next blog entry!

I've always loved this tune for its simplicity, literally, there are no instruments featured in this song, however, there is a heavy reliance on a vocal processor and harmonizing unit. The song in question is called 'Hide and Seek' by English singer-songwriter, record producer and audio engineer, Imogen Heap. Depending on who you ask, there's debate on whether this track falls into the category of electronic music, however, it's been remixed into numerous dance music versions, and I'd have no issues throwing it into a DJ mix as an intro or outro, so I'm including it in Smokin' Aces.

There's not really a lot I can say about this, Imogen clearly has an amazing voice, and I love her use of the dynamic range. A dynamic piece of music relies on the use of fluctuating between soft, quiet and loud and powerful passages. I think Imogen has done a great job of utilising dynamic range, moving between softly-spoken lyrics to lung-busting sections. It helps keep the song interesting, which could otherwise be quite a difficult task due to the lack of other instruments to help keep the listener hooked. It's not quite as dynamic as, say, a piece of classical orchestral music, but, in a modern-day record that featured on mainstream radio, it makes better use of dynamics than others!

Of course, the lyrics are also well written; the most enjoyable part of the song for me is the section that begins with "mmm what you saaaaaaaaayyy!", it's easily the most catchy part of the tune and it always springs to my mind when I think of the record. It could be argued that it's the most recognisable section of the song. If I remember correctly, it was this section/lyric that was sampled in Jason Derulo's single 'Whatcha Say'.

There have been a few remixes of this track, I know Tiësto did a remix, I'm pretty sure I have a copy of it somewhere, but none of the remixes really capture the same feel and raw emotion of the original version by Imogen.

Anyway, check it out, I'm sure many of you have already heard this record, as it was pretty popular around the time of its release. If you watched all seasons of 'The O.C.' TV series, then you've definitely heard it, as that's where I first discovered the tune when I was a teen! I then rediscovered it a year or two later on Tiësto's 'In Search Of Sunrise 6: Ibiza' compilation album; Tiësto's remix was the last track on disc one (of two), it was only then that I searched for the original song by Imogen to check it out. It's been a favourite ever since.

The song can be found on Imogen's studio album 'Speak for Yourself', which was released on her own record label, Megaphonic Records.

If you enjoy this production, make sure to check out more of Imogen Heap's music!

You can find Hide and Seek in the Smokin' Aces Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4oV9djxq6DviiZQgroTClE?si=xHHI31N7RXSux1_pEfcTnQ

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYIAfiVGluk

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek