"GIMMIE SOME"

 (Mike Mangini Remix )

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Nina Simone

..dance world’s most unorthodox rhythm stylists and what do you get: A girl-group shape-shift that leaves you desiring whatever the sultry Simone can conjure up ‘Come on over here and fill my cup’ she wails on this riveting reinvention - Simone’s penchant for off-the-grid-interpretation wrapped around Mangini’s ebullient splicing. The acclaimed co-producer behind Joss Stone’s The Soul Sessions and the much buzzed about neo-funk of Imani Coppola’s Little Jackie (S-Curve) project breaks the mold for one of music’s most transformative vocalist’s whose original version appeared on 1965’s I Put A Spell On You.

"THERE WAS A TIME"

 (Kenny Dope Remix)

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James Brown

At the height of his coronation as the music world’s King of Funk, James Brown pivoted. The tireless star hooked up with drummer Louie Bellson and his 20-piece orchestra and dropped a depth charge on the Black music world with his turn-of-the-decade entry into the Big Band format with 1970’s Soul On Top. A 2004 Verve reissue sparked renewed interest in Brown’s eclectic renditions of jazz standards and JB staples. Masters At Work co-founder Kenny Dope Gonzalez energetically makes his own hay out of Brown’s Big Band odyssey on a relentless rework of “There Was A Time” (previous soul ventures from Kenny include a production turn with soulstress Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, and Verve Remix 1’s inaugural single – a Nina Simone classic refurbished by MAW). One other note of interest: In 2006, Brown recreated Soul On Top in its entirety a mere 3 months before he died, performing with an 18-piece band at the Hollywood Bowl with the 81 year old Bellson guest drumming. Yeah…there was a time!

"CALIFORNIA SOUL"

 (Diplo Remix)

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Marlena Shaw

The first female vocalist signed to Blue Note Records, Marlena Shaw’s knack for blending jazz, soul and pop nuggets led to her mastery of covers, from jazz standards with the Basie Orchestra to the Buckingham’s “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” No wonder she couldn’t resist laying down a rippling version of the Ashford & Simpson-penned “California Soul.” Introduced by the 5th Dimension as pristine pop/soul, Shaw’s version primps at full throttle. Rediscovered by DJs on the recent Cadet/Verve reissue, who better than nomadic DJ Diplo to sonically fray the edges even more? Born in Mississippi, schooled in Philly, weaned on Brazilian Baile Funke by way of Rio Di Janeiro, his joyous breakdowns and zig-zag horn and keyboard sections make for feisty groovework while Marlena bridges styles on the 1968 album that introduced the original gem, The Spice Of Life.

"TAKE CARE OF BUISNESS"

 (Pilooski Edit)

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Nina Simone

Nina back once again, but this time with Parisian dancefloor heist-king Pilooski. His unsolicited ‘Dirty Edits’ of Frankie Valli’s “Beggin’” and “Who Loves You” added even more mystique to his innovative beatmaking, but the remixer/producer understands the enduring attraction of great vocals. (cont. next page)