About

The groundbreaking Verve Remixed compilation series has, for several years, established itself as one of the most innovative and successful series in music. Its popularity and acclaim is well–founded: the marriage between the timeless Verve Records catalog and the most talked–about DJs and producers today. ‘Tis the season for the latest in the pioneering series: Verve Remixed Christmas. Classic interpretations of holiday songs by legendary artists like Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald — everlasting standards that have evoked the holiday spirit for decades — are re–imagined by visionary beat–makers, yielding classics for a new era. Conceived and compiled by co–producers Dahlia Ambach–Caplin and Todd Roberts, Verve Remixed Christmas will ensure that you’ll have the coolest holiday season.

Good Morning Blues

The Real Tuesday Weld Clarkenwell Mix
original by Count Basie

The original song, “Good Morning Blues,” was one of signature tunes for Basie, the inimitable pianist, composer and big–band icon. A love song wrapped in a Christmas wish, the song is remixed here by Stephen Coates and his outfit, The Real Tuesday Weld, who give it a stripped–down, jazzy shimmy, based on Basie’s sing–song piano riff and string flourishes. Capturing the original’s Christmas–time yearning, this new track has an almost sensual, burlesque feel that is evocative of the British band’s other work, on their own and for groups like the B. (Last year, the band were commissioned to create original music for the Rothko exhibit at the Tate Modern museum in London).

Zat You, Santa Clause?

The Heavy Remix
original by Louis Armstrong

The inimitable Louis Armstrong’s catalog can be considered an American treasure. But there was always something about his holiday tunes — on his own, or with singer Ella Fitzgerald — that seemed to play perfectly with Armstrong’s charismatic personality, animated singing style and grand musical chops. That’s the case with this version of “’Zat You,” an original composition and covered by everyone from Brian Setzer to Garth Brooks, and remixed here by UK soul–rock band, The Heavy. The group are old–school soul revue revivalists, and on this tune, they elevate Armstrong’s playfulness and subtly beef up the tune’s original big–band swagger.

What are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

Mangini vs. Pallin Mix
original by Ella Fitzgerald

This gem of a track is originally a glorious nugget from Ella Fitzgerald’s 1960 album, Ella Wishes You A Swingin Christmas, and this remix captures the inherent sound of Ella’s swing, with a cleaner, crisper, more modern feel. It comes courtesy of Mike Mangini and Adam Pallin. Mangini is a music veteran whose ability to constantly explore new terrain keeps his sound fresh. He certainly understands new interpretations of jazz — he engineered the first Digable Planets album and has worked with Joss Stone, Run DMC and David Byrne. Pallin’s dynamic sound as a member of the Brooklyn–based soul outfit Little Jackie (with Imani Copolla), lends a touch of old–school suaveness to this collaboration.