CHECK OUT THE SUBMISSIONS SO FAR…CLICK HERE

The other night we were brainstorming and we realized that we know so many incredible producers who are down with the music, and we would love to hear one of you remix a new CE joint. Whether you use a beat machine or a mouse and keyboard, any and all producers are welcome to test your skills on this CE Remix Challenge. Here’s the scoop:

DETAILS:

Choose from one of the following songs to remix from Freezing World and get your version of the track featured in a new CE video. You have the choice between “I Get Down feat DJ Mafioso”, or “Hour of Change” (which might be a true challenge as it contains singing that you would have to match up).

The links to the acapellas and the beat references are below (or you can click on either song title above). They are hosted on SendSpace. Included below are some lofi streaming versions of the songs, in case you haven’t heard them.

“I Get Down feat DJ Mafioso” (download remix pack here)

“Hour of Change” (download remix pack here)

There might be some space at the beginning or the end of these files, but if played simultaneously you would be able to see the structure in a wav editor of some sort. These files are not mastered, and the BPMs are included, however, may not be 100% accurate depending on the machine/equipment you are using. They are simply there as a reference for you to get started quickly.

SUBMISSION:

We’ve created a dropbox at http://drop.io/ceremix. You can either manually add the files there, or you can email them to ceremix@drop.io and they will automatically be placed in the dropbox.

1. Render your finished work as an mp3 before sending to the drop.
(You can put some mastering effects on it to beef it up, but we might ask you for an unmastered version if we decide to use your remix. Make sure to label the MP3 with the song title and “Your Name Here” Remix)

2. To claim your prize, send an email to collectiveefforts@gmail.com with CE REMIX CONTEST in the subject.
(Include your name, the remix/es you did, as well as a physical address to mail you the prize.)

We really appreciate your participation in this, and just to give incentive, everyone who actually puts a finished remix in THE DROP will get a special gift from the crew (only one gift for each producer, but you are welcome to post a couple of different versions to the dropbox, and are in no way limited to the number of remixes you want to submit). See above about claiming your gift.

FINAL SELECTION – MAY 1ST, 2010:

The top TWO picks (for each song) will be chosen every Friday until the deadline (May 1st), and the rest of the drop will be cleared to make room for new entries. If your remix gets removed from the drop before that time, please read the comments, follow the instructions above and try again. We want to give everyone a chance, but we are also looking for something professional. Thanks in advance for being a good sport about honest criticism.

Note: We will be posting comments on the songs directly (and here), so if you want to rework your mix based upon feedback given, you can always resubmit. The cut off is midnight, Friday, April 30, when the drop will be officially closed and the final selection will be made.

Good luck to all!

Peace,
Ben Hameen & The CE Crew

Check out Collective Efforts in the lab putting in work on the latest single. Filmed at the CE Estate, arranged and edited by CE guitarist Matthew Weiss, it gives you a peek into the creative process involved in the making of a Collective Efforts track. From production techniques on the MPC to writing and recording verses, it ends up being a new adventure every time. Your boy Hameen lays the groundwork for each MC to do their thing, and young Dillon shines and adds a little comic relief in the studio (and the kitchen). Check out the crew in their natural element, and make sure to grab a copy of the new album ASAP! Freezing World is here!

The CE Crew kicks off their album push with an up tempo tune, the debut single “Crazy Things.” Recorded and produced by J Mil and Ben Hameen, the track showcases an ability to merge the raw boom bap of hip hop’s roots with the intricacies of live musicianship. Collective Efforts presents this single with a video directed by Green Leather Sofa, Matt Ackerman and Chris Watson. The duo’s vision matched the song’s tone and served as a perfect kick off for what’s to come from the CE Crew’s fourth studio album, “Freezing World.”

Download Collective Efforts – Crazy Things Single (Clean)
http://usershare.net/l1dngy3xvfp5

Collective Efforts – Crazy Things from collective efforts on Vimeo.

A Green Leather Sofa Production

Director — Chris Watson
Producer — Matt Ackerman
Director of Photography — Jordan McMonagle
Editor — Jeff Jay

This track was recorded at John Keane studio in Athens, GA. All part of an early experiment to come out with a live album based of selected Collective Efforts tunes. This one came out very well, and the incredible Jonathan Brill hooked up an excellent video to capture the recording experience. Check it out…