Rakim (Dead Can Dance cover)
It’s always a bold step when deciding to take on a cover. You delve into a world of criticism much larger than your own fan base, taking on the original artist and their fans as well. While that task can seem daunting for any artist’s work, special consideration has to be taken on when considering covering a Dead Can Dance song. With an incredibly worldly approach to music, fusing together African polyrhythms, Gaelic folk, Gregorian chant, Middle Eastern mantras and art rock, a cover of their work could seem overwhelming, to say the least.
Luckily for us, Brooklyn-based tribal pop duo Manicanparty not only gave us a modern interpretation of “Rakim”, but also crafted it in a way that would make Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry proud. Effortlessly carrying the memory of the original song through booming African drums, that unforgettable melody, and Jess Corazza’s sunning vocals, this coveted tune can now be revived to be enjoyed and appreciated with younger generations of music lovers.
In a world of what’s next, what’s new, what’s hip, and what’s trending, we applaud Manicanparty for taking a step back and reflecting on musical influences that helped shape some of the artists that we’ve come to know and love.
