01-Diamonds-on-the-Soles-of-Her-Shoes-Todd-Terje-edit

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Todd Terje edit) – Paul Simon

Over this past week I’ve been in South Carolina enjoying the beach, and last night my girlfriend and I were discussing Paul Simon’s Graceland, which led me to bring up this stunner of a Todd Terje edit. Todd Terje (aka the Terjelator) has recently become more known for his own excellent nu disco productions like Inspector Norse, which is shaping up to be the big Summer jam of 2012. But, he came onto a lot of radars as a master of balearic edits like this one. Songs that feel just right being played on a beach in the light of day. Songs that make you smile and want to hug everyone, or maybe watch Captain Ron or the Lion King

Originally released in ‘06, this edit, which Terje entitled “Diamonds Dub,” is among his best. Rather than trying to fill a dancefloor or improve the original, Terje has a fun, dubby take on this tune. The unassuming African polyrhythms of the original are brightened up a bit and brought to the fore. The slippery fretless bass takes a few moments to wiggle in the spotlight as well. Simon’s voice, liked the rest of the edit, is wrapped in a cocoon of a reverb. It’s as if during a performance, he’s running around the audience dancing with them as his band plays, before running back on stage to sing a couple lines. Find your local or not so local beach and some headphones and see if you don’t agree that this is sublime.

I’m sure the original Tangoterje vinyl is out of print. You can (and should) easily buy a copy of Graceland. Additionally you can try looking here for the edit.

/// Brian Blackout