"Aside from John (of course), I kept ?uestlove on drums and the horn section. All other original parts I left out. I wanted to make an orchestral remix so added strings, french horns, harps, kettle drums, and windchimes (and that's just the intro lol). I changed many of the chord progressions and then arranged a bassline that was played live by my amazing bassist friend, Joel Powell. I also played the piano and organ parts, edited new breaks, mixed, and finally mastered it. That's about it. Compare it to the original and I guarantee you'll hear the differences. This was mad fun!" - Ahmed Sirour
"SoulCulture UK exclusive: John Legend & The Roots Perform "Shine" Live In Studio. Taken from the forthcoming album Wake Up! which features soulful music from the 60's and 70's all with an underlying theme of awareness, engagement and consciousness. "Shine" is the one original composition on the album. John Legend's song "Shine," which is featured in Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim's upcoming documentary film Waiting for Superman. The song, a "Stevie-Wonder-meets-gospel" stunner, clearly demonstrates the strengths of this specific group of musicians. Wake Up! blends Legend's expressive, thoughtful vocal interpretations with an element of funk that only The Roots can provide." - Soul Culture Media
