Second Listen: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox finds “Love”

(November 2, 2018) The phenomenon that is Post Modern Jukebox started out as a way for struggling musician Scott Bradlee to basically keep his chops sharp. He reimagined contemporary pop songs by transforming their arrangements to swing, big band, 40’s and 50’s era R&B and jump blues and 60s rock. He recruited musicians and vocalists to perform these reimagined tunes and then did what most creatives do in this post-modern world – he posted the result on YouTube, where mashups such as the big band version of “Drunk in Love” and a swinging Ragtime version of “All About that Bass,” attracted a following and the attention of media outlets such as NPR.

PMJ’s album 2016 album Essentials featured mashups covers of “Hey Yah,” and “Sweet Child of Mine.” Bradlee and PMJ’s formula has not changed from the beginning, but we learn on Essentials II that his projects have captured the imagination of additional performers such as Wayne Brady and Casey Abrams, who are a part of the new album (Abrams also appeared on Essentials). Abrams performs “What is Love,” the 1993 dance anthem originally performed by Haddaway. The arrangement finds Abrams, the band and his two backing vocalists channeling the Isley Brothers’ 1959 party anthem “Shout.” It’s another imaginative twist-up by an act that makes the unusual an art in itself. Check out the video here.

By Howard Dukes

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox feat. Casey Abrams
“What Is Love”

Video

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