2000s – Page 24

Vanessa de Mata | Longe Demais

Brazilian chanteuse Vanessa da Mata, the winner of several Latin GRAMMYs, produced the track “Longe Demais” (too far away) in 2002. This laid-back tune features direct modulations at 1:01, 1:43, and 2:43.

Keith Jarrett | Danny Boy

Today, we feature Keith Jarrett playing “Danny Boy” (2002). There is a brief modulation from F major to A-flat major at 1:37, before returning to F for the remainder of the song at 2:25. An absolutely stunning performance.

US3 | The Love of My Life

Us3, a hiphop group with members from both the US and UK, is probably best known for the sample-heavy 90s hit “Cantaloop/Flip Fantasia.”

Like most of Us3’s output, “The Love of My Life” (2009) draws heavily on dense jazz-infused textures and chord progressions. But the sound is also driven by Hiphop grooves and lyrical traditions. The tune modulates up two whole steps at 0:38, pivoting between these two keys throughout: 0:56, 2:30, and 2:49.

Samantha Mumba | Always Come Back to Your Love

Closing out the week with a 2001 hit from the Irish singer Samantha Mumba, “Always Come Back to Your Love.” Key change at 2:30. Enjoy and have a good weekend!

Jason Mraz | The Remedy

“The Remedy,” Jason Mraz’s 2002 breakthrough hit, reached #15 in the US. It features a bridge which initially continues in the tune’s overall key of Bb major (2:33). Mraz then jumps to Bb minor for the second segment of the bridge (2:53) before returning to the feel-good chorus in Bb major.

NSYNC | This I Promise You

Happy Monday! We kick the week off with some classic *NSYNC — “This I Promise You” (2000). I was actually surprised to discover I never posted this song back in the day — it’s a good one. Modulation at 3:11 — Enjoy!

Yolanda Adams | I Gotta Believe

Here’s Yolanda Adams with “I Gotta Believe” (2001). Dubbed the “Reigning Queen of Urban Gospel” by Variety and Billboard‘s #1 Gospel Artist of the 2000s, Adams has sold over 8 million albums worldwide. Modulation at 2:48.

Britney Spears | Lucky

Today we turn to Britney Spears with the classic “Lucky” (2000). The track earned commercial success worldwide, peaking at #1 in Austria, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland and top 5 in the UK. Textbook modulation around 3:00.

Us3 | The Day That I Died

Hiphop isn’t usually the first genre that comes to mind when considering modulations. But Us3, a group featuring UK-based musicians and best known for the 90s hit “Cantaloop/Flip Fantasia,” manages quite a few key changes — built around samples drawn from unprecedented access to the entire Blue Note Records jazz catalog.

“The Day That I Died” (2007) is characteristic of Us3’s eclectic lyrics, which put storytelling front and center. Modulations at 1:28, 1:47, 2:46, 3:07, 3:25, 3:44, 4:44, and 5:03.

Stefon Harris + Blackout | Until

A beautiful jazz waltz featuring the vibraphone of rising star Stefon Harris. This 2007 tune was originally written by Sting for the Kate & Leopold soundtrack. Modulation at 1:29.

Harris has said, according to All About Jazz: “For me, as an African-American, it’s part of the reason I get up. Jazz is not just fun for me. This is my cultural heritage. When I look at the great Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, as we go down the line, I feel a great deal of pressure, and honor, to be striving to be a part of this legacy.”