Finding the Rhythm

OK, I confess, when American Idol first appeared on the scene, I was hooked. It was incredible to see the very deserving Kelly Clarkson win that first season of the now-classic-but-overdone bit of reality television. I watched the second season excitedly. And the third, somewhat less excitedly. Much past that, and I was pretty much over it. This year and last, I check-in periodically, but how much Simon, Paula, Randy, lousy contestants and drama can you really stomach before you’ve had enough?

In any case, last season’s winner, Jordin Sparks, did remind me somewhat of Kelly Clarkson. Modest, talented, and just out there doing her thing and doing it well.

And, as was the case with Kelly Clarkson, Jordin’s handlers at 19 Entertainment have smartly decided to run her singles through remixers, hoping to build momentum and popularity in the club scene. And, like Kelly Clarkson, that job has been done reasonably well with Jordin’s single, Tattoo.

Much of the reason the song works at all, let alone as a dance single, is that it’s a decent song with solid lyrics. Written by Ian Dench, Erik Hermansen and Amanda Gosein, the team reasonable for Beyoncé and Shakira’s Beautiful Liar among others, the song has a catchy melody and words that sort of beg to be sung along with.

There are a number of mixes available, but the one I spin was done by Jason Nevins, who talents were brought to bear on Kelly Clarkson’s Since U Been Gone (amazing how things sort of come full circle, isn’t it?). Nevin’s fast tempo yet still housey take on Tattoo is artfully executed end-to-end, and allows Jordin’s powerful vocal to shine through in its full glory—something that’s not done often enough in dance tracks it seems (probably because in many cases, the vocalist just isn’t that great).

In any event, I’d really digging the song, and all the mixes I’ve heard I enjoy. Good work, Jordin—and the “power team” at 19 that has no doubt been assigned to ensure she’s as successful (and profitable) as possible.

Turn up the volume… Wes.