Most cover albums are predictable and boring, which is why we’re generally not overly interested in taking them on for representation. In order for one to be worthwhile, it needs to be a completely original take on music that hasn’t been covered too many times before. Which is why when DJ Nu-Mark asked if we’d like to take on his album “Run For Cover” we just couldn’t resist! Oddly enough, as far as covers go hip hop and R&B from the late 90’s and early aughts is kind of uncharted territory. But for a member of the acclaimed hip hop band Jurassic Five, this era is all but too familiar. I mean, Nu-Mark was THERE! You’d also expect a turntablist to approach covers as sample-driven remixes, but again you’d be wrong there. Instead, DJ Nu-Mark brought in live musicians to reinterpret these songs and give them a completely new spin with musical influences from around the world. With an eclectic collective of artists such as Full Crate, Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, Jungle Fire, Danny Drive Thru, Sergio Selim and The Traffic, this album is truly a group effort.
“Run For Cover” features an accordion-driven Cumbia/Funk flavored version of the classic Snoop Dogg anthem “Ain’t No Fun (If The Homies Can’t Have None)”, an incredible 8-bit video version of “Break Ya Neck” complete with Busta’s frenetic rap verses encoded in digital speech, and a Caribbean steel drum arrangement of “Everybody Everybody”. Throughout the record DJ Nu-Mark creatively utilizes acoustic instrumentation such as trombone, baritone sax, timbales and steel drums to interpolate the vocal melodies and rap verses. This results in a completely original sound, while carefully preserving all the ingredients that make you want to get out on the floor and shake your butt. He is a DJ, after all!
DJ Nu-Mark ignited his multifaceted solo career in 2004 with the release of his acclaimed EP “Blend Crafters, Vol 1” which featured his timeless cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” and his production with MF Doom. His follow-up LP “Broken Sunlight” was a jaw-dropping collection of heartfelt music featuring Aloe Blacc, Quantic, Large Professor, Bumpy Knuckles, A-Skillz, Tiron & Ayomari, J-Live and Charles Bradley. Nu-Mark then brought along Pharcyde’s Slimkid3 under the alias TRDMRK on two albums featuring Del the Funky Homosapien, Guilty Simpson, Diamond D, Darondo, and Murs which shot to number one on the CMJ charts.
