Jhameel - The Human Condition (Barbara Remix) by wearebarbara
Derek & Frank of Barbara have taken a heady approach to the remix of Jhameel’s “The Human Condition” and it is not to be taken lightly despite its incredible pop sensibilities. The song itself struck rich chords with a message and purpose and art that Barbara holds dear. It has been our honor to have the opportunity to work with Jhameel’s song, one that was full of power to begin with.
You may find an immediate appreciation for Jhameel’s The Human Condition in its danceability and marshal quality. To be fair and honest, I took for granted the depth of lyrics at first… I was just learning the song - and proudly losing myself in the “SING IT AGAIN” anthemic chorus, marching around in its aesthetic. However, as Derek and Frank worked toward their vision with this remix - its meaning hit me hard - and I began to build this imagistic fantasy to accompany this song….
Picture Jhameel…. a drum major - leading w/ intent, the marching formation of ALL OF YOU AND ME…. US - as in humanity….. w/ a sick dance step across the fields of joy and pain and self-actualization. We ALL are what we ALL are! This is our condition.
The imagery built itself as I sat down with my computer one night to focus on the remix progress. The sound of CSPAN loud behind me…. and KCRW’s news reporting overhead - and in front of me was Twitter w/ an #Egypt hashtag search flying across my screen. I was watching a revolution unfold before my eyes. I read the words of a people, the us that are marching…..
I don’t wish to trivialize the revolution in Egypt with my correlative thought process. There are some notions that are best left safe from sacrifice of mis-interpretation. It should be common sentiment that the current events unraveling themselves as history in the making is a show of the strength of humanity when millions of voices are made into one…. !
“We spit upon the face of hatred fortified by words of jaded tongues that have tasted death and broken ties of religion’s nations”
It was this same evening that I heard the remix really starting to take shape, Derek had just sent over the build up and he’d uncovered the Barbara’s low ROBOT bidding - “This is the Human Condition”. The climax of intent and message, the confederation of ours and Jhameel’s.
Thank you - to Jhameel and to Derek and Frank - for creating art that has me touching fantasy and reality together w/ synaptic relation and correlation that is my favorite way to think. This partnership has produced a depth that I think could really permeate the layers of immediate auditory appreciation for tha music makin!!”
-Barbara’s Betsy
