Mickey O'Brien - Orebody - The Remix Album

 

Nickel City blue collar MC Mickey O’Brien released his third solo album on September 29, 2023. Orebody delved deeper into his soul and psyche as he explored his own inner workings with each song representing a specific emotion. Juno-nominated master of the MPC Fresh Kils was once again along for the ride as the sole producer along with the addition of live instrumentation. But Mickey also loves a good remix, so he enlisted his many friends to contribute remixes for every song on the album, originally only available in full on the b-side of the Orebody cassette release, while a few were released alongside the originals for their singles. Contributions from Factor Chandelier, Uncle Fester, DJ Moves, The Dirty Sample and The 555 bring a different vibe to these songs with which you should already be familiar, often pushing into unexpected territory. Orebody - The Remix Album provides another opportunity for the uninitiated to discover the honest, introspective music of Mickey O’Brien while offering current fans a refreshing return to the rhymes of the original.

Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien and featured guests

Remixed by Factor Chandelier, Uncle Fester, DJ Moves, The Dirty Sample, The 555, and Fresh Kils

Cuts by DJ Versatile

Mastered by Dorc

Mickey O'Brien - "THE MEDICINE" (Uncle Fester Remix) feat. DJ Versatile

With a vibe reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Gang Starr, Mickey O'Brien's "The Medicine" has everything that is good about positive '90s hip-hop. Uncle Fester's remix adds a touch of jazz and G-funk flair, while DJ Versatile's turntablism gives it that DJ Premier flavor. On this first single from his upcoming Orebody - The Remix Album, Mickey raps about overcoming struggles and living life to the fullest with hope as the medicine to carry on and persevere against all odds. As he says in the chorus, he's "all in, all in.

Mickey O'Brien presents Orebody

 

For Orebody, his fifth project in five years, Mickey O’Brien takes the listener even deeper into his soul and psyche as he explores his own inner workings with each song representing a specific emotion. His process to prepare for the writing of these songs involved sitting with a psychotherapist to discuss what triggers that emotion within himself. And listening to the album, one can actually hear and feel how this blue collar MC perceives the world, like standing in his shoes for a moment in time. To provided the musical backdrop for this emotional rollercoaster, O’Brien once again taps the talents of long-time collaborator, MPC button-masher, and Juno-nominated producer Fresh Kils who crushes it on the pads and production. And as co-producer, O’Brien adds further depth to the music with live instrumentation, enlisting the assistance of Zachary Clement (keys), Geoff McCausland (violin), Anthony Rinaldi (sax), Matt Saroka (guitar), and DJ Versatile (turntables), in various combinations. The result is an album to inspire Canadian youth and the working class alike that mental health matters and healing is within reach.  

Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien and featured guests 

Produced by Fresh Kils 

Co-produced by Mickey O’Brien 

Keys by Zachary Clement 

Violin by Geoff McCausland 

Sax by Anthony Rinaldi 

Guitar by Matt Saroka and Fresh Kils 

Cuts by DJ Versatile 

Mastered by Dorc

Mickey O'Brien enlists Canadian MC legends Adam Bomb & D-Sisive for "Alchemy"

 

Mickey O’Brien enlists the aid of rap super duo Low U (aka Adam Bomb and D-Sisive) to tackle the subject of anger on “Alchemy”, the third single from his upcoming album, Orebody, a collection of concept songs, each about a different emotion. For this powerful posse cut, the trio of MCs rage over a big, banging beat by Juno-nominated producer and MPC master manipulator Fresh Kils and co-produced by O’Brien. Beefing up the beat even more is Geoff McCauslan on violin, Zach Clement on keys, and DJ Versatile’s crazy cuts on the hook. The combination of all this talent results in a track that is truly epic! But for those who need more, prolific producer Factor Chandelier provides a deeper, darker remix that emphasizes the bass, brings in elements of reggae and electronic music, and replaces the hook between rappers with an intro and outro toasting from additional guest Xoolu. The accompanying video was shot in and around Toronto’s iconic Play De Record and features a cameo from its legendary owner, Eugene Tam, an instrumental figure in the Toronto urban music scene. The black and white grittiness of the video along with the chaotic camera work and frenetic editing of Boom Shoal’s Dan Jardine adds perfectly to the intensity of the song. The video also serves as Act 2 in a 3-part series that features an angelic female spirit guiding the artist and helping him navigate life. 

Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien, Adam Bomb and D-Sisive 

Produced by Fresh Kils 

 Co-produced by Mickey O’Brien 

Violin by Geoff McCauslan 

Keys by Zachary Clement 

 Cuts by DJ Versatile 

 Remix by Factor Chandelier 

 Mastered by Dorc