VARIOUS Verve Remixed 4 (Verve)
This fourth dig through the Verve Records vaults features some eclectic reworks by the likes of Kenny Dope, Diplo, Karriem Riggins and many more. There is more to be enjoyed than your standard house remix this time around—for instance, on Nina Simone’s “Gimme Some,” where Mike Mangini tackles the remix by strutting an ultra-soulful swing recipe that’ll make you turn-up the volume and convince Amy Winehouse to head right into rehab. The much talked-about, promoted and spun Diplo remix of Marlene Shaw’s “California Soul” is indeed intoxicating, but it has nothing on the original. Get those legs fit and ready, clear out the dancefloor and create that circle for Kenny Dope’s remix of James Brown’s “There Was A Time,” because, yes, now is that time to burn some serious calories to this scorcher! Antibalas lifts spirits higher with their afrobeat remix of Patato & Totico’s Latin classic, “Dilo Como Yo,” while Karriem Riggins puts the hiccup treatment on Willie Bobo’s “Evil Ways,” transforming it into a lightly blessed bossa nova gem—taking this release straight to the heavens.