Elvis remixes are notorious for dividing fans. Some love them, others hate them. Pragmatically, contemporary remixing of the Elvis catalog is critical for bringing Elvis' vast musical legacy to new and younger audiences.

There is no doubt contemporary remixes of Elvis songs is anathema to some fans, particularly many older fans. However, as the massive success of Elvis vs JXL demonstrated in 2002, there is a largely untapped, predominately younger market, for well produced Elvis remixes.

EIN recently sat down with the headphones to listen to the latest remix release and what is the first officially released Elvis Remix album........Elvis vs Spankox "Re:Versions". What we discovered was an intriguing mix in what is indeed an historic, milestone album!

(Reader/listener feedback below)

DJ Agostino Carollo (aka DJ Spankox) is one of Italy's best known DJ's. In approaching his remixing of Elvis recordings he has selected 11 of Elvis' mid 1950s tracks. They are a mix of rock 'n' roll, rockabilly and country ballads. As its pr suggests, the Elvis vs Spankox 'Re:Versions' album is much more than a remix album. All the songs have been carefully reworked and rearranged using the latest technology but keeping intact the original feel of Elvis' music. The result is an unprecedented approach to the music of The King of Rock 'n' Roll........it is Elvis as you've never heard him before. When one thinks about it, remixing a whole album of Elvis' 1950s recordings is no easy task. Given the finished product, DJ Spankox is to be congratulated on a job well done.

Don't Be Cruel becomes a funky contemporary track thanks to great use of a heavy bass back-beat. The essence of the original recording is maintained and an engaging overall sound resonates.

One of the standout tracks is the reworked Teddy Bear, which delights with its really contemporary funky electronic sound and catchy beat. The pacing and production of the song is an ideal reflection of today's dance floor tastes.

Jailhouse Rock has strong modern overdubs, making it another ideal track for the very popular disco floors throughout Europe. The original vocal and instrumentation is enhanced by an electronic re:version sound which adds musical texture.

The re:versions of All Shook Up and Heartbreak Hotel don't quite work as well as other tracks on the album and lack the spark these classics deserve. All Shook Up is introduced with an electronic staccato false start which may or may not appeal to many younger listeners. Heartbreak Hotel was always a seminal recording in its original state, but I found the re:version to be a little too heavy and at times overdone, detracting from its essential musical genius.

Blue Moon Of Kentucky is a standout track! It has been particularly well mixed using extra bass and with its infectious beat and rhythm it is one of the re:versions which should readily appeal to today's disco mad youth.

Too Much has been heavily re:versioned with bass and additional electronic sounds. A clever touch by Spankox has the song's seminal guitar riff reworked into an electronic effect and the track flows with a big, backing bass sound.

Spankox's work on Just Because deserves to make the track a classic Elvis remix! A beautifully modulated effort retains the jaunty spark of the original recording interspersed with good use of echo and musical staccato.

Spankox keeps his good work going with You're A Heartbreaker (another of Elvis' Sun Studio recordings).

With Elvis' first commercially released single, That's All Right, Spankox has treaded carefully, leaving the original sound largely untouched and adding only a minimum of bass and electronic effects. The overall effect is a good one.

The 12 track album includes a bonus video clip of the single Baby Let's Play House (Spankox Re:Version) accompanied by a 24 page booklet..........all housed in a specially printed PVC case. The album was mastered by DJ Spankox at the Everness Recording Suite at Lake Garda in Italy.

The album cover partly borrows from one of Elvis' classic album covers, Elvis '68 Comeback Special.

Track Listing:

• Baby Let's Play House (Highpass Radio Edit)
• Don't Be Cruel (Highpass Radio Edit)
• Teddy Bear (Highpass Album Cut)
• Jailhouse Rock (Highpass Radio Edit)
• All Shook Up (Highpass Album Cut)
• Blue Moon of Kentucky (Highpass Album Cut)
• Heartbreak Hotel (AGO Radio Edit)
• Too Much (Highpass Album Cut)
• Just Because (Eyes Cream 3AM Short Mix)
• You're A Heartbreaker (Highpass Edit)
• That's All Right (X-treme Edit)
• Baby Let's Play House (Spankox Re:Version - bonus video clip)

Verdict: As indicated by the huge success of the album's single, Baby Let's Play House, Spankox vs Elvis is a very well produced and enjoyable album. At times, Spankox's remixing goes further than the Junkie XL formula, which left Elvis' full vocal intact. In so doing, the album offers valuable insight into what the future holds for how Elvis' music will be constructed and offered to new generations of music buyers. This album is a strong one and well worth repeated listenings!

Buy "Elvis vs Spankox"

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More about Spankox and his Elvis Remix Single

The "Re: Version" of "Baby Let's Play House" by the Italian DJ Spankox was released digitally by SONY BMG Music Entertainment on May 27th and is available for purchase as a special limited edition CD single exclusively at Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis and their online shop.

Tracklisting:

1. Baby Let's Play House 2:52 (Spankox Remix - Highpass Radio Edit)
2. Baby Let's Play House 5:10 (Spankox Extended Remix - Highpas Extended Mix)
3. Baby Let's Play House 2:15 (Original Album Version)

From the EPE press release:

“Anytime Elvis' master recordings are altered, we take a special interest to make sure the new sound is the right sound. Elvis was a pioneer who broke the mold and barriers with his music, this remix does just that with a fresh approach to an Elvis classic,” said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises.

“Baby Let’s Play House” was originally recorded by Elvis in April of 1955 at Sun Studio in Memphis. Music historians consider the recording of this single as one of the defining moments of Elvis' time with Sun before signing with the RCA label.

Well known Italian DJ Spankox first remixed the track in 2007, over 50 years after it was first recorded by Elvis. “I fell in love with this song, mostly because of Elvis’ superior voice and the song’s title, not really thinking about the true meaning behind the lyrics, but rather how the title “Baby Let’s Play House” relates to the music genre I’ve play as DJ, house music,” said Spankox.

Upon international release, the remix was a huge hit in Italy. The “Baby Let’s Play House” remix topped the single sales charts in Italy for 7 consecutive weeks and held the #1 spot for 8 weeks on the Italian iTunes sales chart.

In addition to the remix, Sony BMG will also release a music video for the track available for digital download and purchase. The video utilizes archival footage of Elvis singing the classic tune from an April 1956 Dorsey Brothers Stage Show performance.

Known for his sometimes controversial on-stage moves, Elvis once said in an interview, “Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do ‘em all together.” The new music video continues in the controversial vein and is sure to have American audiences on their feet and moving to the King of Rock n’ Roll’s new beat.

This re-mix release marks the beginning of a whole year of exciting Elvis activity including four new exhibits at Graceland that chronicle various milestones in Elvis’ career. The excitement culminates with Elvis Week, www.elvisweek.com, in August where Spankox, will appear in front of thousands of Elvis fans from all over the world as a guest speaker at the Elvis Insiders Conference.  The Italian DJ Spankox, who remixed Elvis' classic "Baby Let's Play House" has been invited to Elvisweek 2008 by EPE a guest speaker at the Elvis Insiders Conference. SONY BMG will release his remix single May 27, 2008; a special limited edition CD single of the re-mix will be available exclusively at Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis and online at Shop Elvis.

From the press release: New Remix of Elvis Presley's Baby Let's Play House to be Released by Sony BMG.

Elvis’ classic “Baby Let’s Play House”, re-mixed by progressive DJ Agostino Spankox, will be released by SONY BMG Music Entertainment as a new re-mix single on May 27th and will be available for purchase via digital download. A special limited edition CD single of the re-mix will be available exclusively at Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis and online at shopelvis.com.

This is only the third re-mix SONY BMG has released in cooperation with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. following the smash hits “A Little Less Conversation” (JXL remix) in 2002 and “Rubberneckin'” (Paul Oakenfold remix) in 2003.

“Anytime Elvis' master recordings are altered, we take a special interest to make sure the new sound is the right sound. Elvis was a pioneer who broke the mold and barriers with his music, this remix does just that with a fresh approach to an Elvis classic,” said Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises.

“Baby Let’s Play House” was originally recorded by Elvis in April of 1955 at Sun Studio in Memphis. Music historians consider this single as one of the defining moments of Elvis' time with Sun before signing with the RCA label. “Elvis has a long history of inspiring creativity in other musicians and artists; this new remix is a great example of his influence on today’s music. When you listen to the re-mix, the essence of the original recording is still there, but the contemporary production values and the blazing guitars give it a whole new sound,” said Tony Yoken, Format Manager and DJ of SIRIUS Elvis Radio.

Well known Italian DJ Agostino Spankox first remixed the track in 2007 over 50 years after it was first recorded by Elvis. “I fell in love with this song, mostly because of Elvis’ superior voice and the song’s title, not really thinking about the true meaning behind the lyrics, but rather how the title “Baby Let’s Play House” relates to the music genre I’ve play as DJ, house music,” said Spankox.

Following its release in Europe, the “Baby Let’s Play House” remix shot up the single sales charts to #1 in Italy for 7 consecutive weeks in addition to 8 weeks in the top spot of the Italian iTunes sales chart.

On the heels of the overseas success of Elvis Presley's “Baby Let’s Play House” remix, SONY BMG will release the song to all digital service providers in the United State for a May 27 release date. A music video of the remixed track will also be available for digital download and purchase. The contemporary music video creatively utilizes archival footage of Elvis singing the classic tune from an April 1956 Dorsey Brothers Stage Show performance.

Known for his sometimes controversial on-stage moves, Elvis once said in an interview, “Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do ‘em all together.” The music video continues in the controversial vein and this latest re-mix of “Baby Let’s Play House,” already popular in dance clubs across Europe is sure to have American audiences on the feet and moving to the King of Rock n’ Roll’s new beat.

As part of the excitement surrounding the re-mix release, Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis will host an exclusive launch event 10 AM CDT on May 27th featuring the first CD sales of “Baby Let’s Play House.” The event also includes the first official radio air play of the re-mix following its release in the U.S., special programming on SIRIUS’ Elvis Radio channel 13 and will feature the new re-mix, the original recording from 1955, and several live versions recorded by Elvis. Elvis Radio broadcasts live from Graceland exclusively on SIRIUS Satellite Radio and is the world’s first and only officially authorized, commercial-free, Elvis all-the-time radio station.

This re-mix release marks the beginning of a whole year of exciting Elvis activity that includes four new exhibits at Graceland that chronicle various milestones in Elvis’ career. The excitement culminates with Elvis Week, www.elvisweek.com, in August where Spankox, creator of the re-mix, will appear in front of thousands of Elvis fans from all over the world as a guest speaker at the Elvis Insiders Conference.  

Content: Do Elvis, a Sun classic, an Italian DJ and some remix equipment make a good combination? Guess each person or Elvis fan you ask that question will answer it differently. Personally I think it is a brave choice to use a classic like “Baby Let’s Play House” especially with that typical Sun sound, it is hard to add additional music to that particular sound.
Spankox clearly listened to Junky XL reworking of “A Little Less Conversation” using the same mix techniques and electronic sounds. He managed to update the song for use on a 21st. century dance floor but still keeping some elements of the original version in there playing with Scotty Moore’s guitar lick and the build-up of the song.

The radio mix kind of grows on you while the extended version is spun out a bit too long in the intro and outro with just the drums. I don't think this Re: Verion will leave the mark JXL's remix made. Fortunately Elvis’ original version brings it all back.

This release was supposed to contain the videoclip too, but I did not find that.

Conclusion: With a mix like this it all comes down to your personal taste so I’ll leave the judgement of the actual mix to you but compliment Spankox on the brave effort he made remixing a well know track, the nice gimmick giving Elvis the first Vinyl Disc release and putting Elvis back at #1 on the Italian singles chart.

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