Zen Rmx Retrospective

Ninja Tune – arguably the premier label in trip-hop and jazzy beats – has compiled two full CDs of remixes of label residents including DJ Food, Herbaliser, Bonobo, DJ Vadim, Coldcut, and Cinematic Orchestra. The list of remixers here is incredible: Sqaurepusher, Manitoba, Four Tet, Luke Vibert, Dr. Rockit, Cornelius and more. In other words, this is one hell of a compilation!

In some cases, I was a bit disappointed. Given the quality of the remixing talent, some of the mixes fall a bit flat, or fail to enrich the original versions. On the other hand, there are some incredible works here that cannot be missed:

* Track 2 (CD 1) is one of my all time favorite remixes! Sqaurepusher rules!!
* Track 1 (CD 2) is a gorgeous, spacey mix of some Cinematic Orchestra
* Track 9 (CD 2) is an extended mix of one of the dopest Ninja Tune hits ever

Also check out CD One: 7, 8 and CD Two (the stronger CD): 2, 4, 6, 10

Track by track inside booklet ----->

- Captain Dee 7/04

CD 1:

1. Repeated, tweaked voice and complex rockin' beat. Cornelius brings his repertoire of crazy sounds. (7:19)
***2. FUCK YES!!! This Sqaurepusher remix is one of my absolute favorites. Drill & bass madness with the grooviest bass playing. Oh my good lord, check out the break at ~4:50! (7:17)
3. FCC Violations (albeit quiet). Fast, muddled spoken word set to dark videogame noises, sleek bassline and drum. (2:56)
4. Pounding bass anchors quintessential Four Tet wind chimes and folksy vibe with electronics. Messy, jazzy feel. (7:11)
5. Hip-hop beat, effusions of bass, trippy melodies lurk in the background. Later, slow scratching, repeated sample, and drum & bass beat. A sparse track. (7:02)
6. Uptempo beat, bass-heavy pulse. Echoing horns and other noises swim menacingly in the background. (8:24)
*7. Sexy, jazzy beat & bass with introspective piano. (3:16)
*8. Groovin' rhythm, wonky melodies. Goofy yet badass – in a way as only Luke Vibert can. (7:54)
9. Strummed guitar, nasal singing, plucked strings, simple beat, and some scratching. (4:45)
10. Jazzy, but everything is highly cut up. Borders on broken beat, but lazier. Sampled singing. (6:07)

CD 2:

**1. Wonderful jazzy drums, space-y synths, cosmic sounds, female vocals that ponder the stars. Beautiful! (6:34)
*2. Nighttime insects chirping, soothing/pulsing chimes, atmospheric spoken samples, great drum line. (5:47)
3. Get-down clapping beat, sound effects, melodic soundscapes. (6:28)
*4. Funky jam with bass and various electronic-ish melodies and sounds. Sounds a bit electro, but way smoother. (7:39)
5. Bossa nova guitars and beat, soulful female vocals and brass. (3:47)
*6. The Brazillian vibe continues – this almost sounds like "Mas Que Nada." Sexy female vocals, catchy guitar, cheerful horns. Fun stuff. (4:08)
7. Cacophony of rattles gives way to sleek, jazzy jam w/ spoken samples and chimes. Ethereal end. (8:49)
8. FCC Violations throughout. Gritty hip hop sound, tweaked rapping. (4:02)
**9. An extended, slightly chilled mix of one of the trip-hop greats. Ultra tight rolling beat, with ominous ambience and spooky clarinet. Incredible! (7:51)
*10. Once again, great source material, but the remix doesn't change much. Off-kilter piano and strings (cello?) give way to dramatic counterparts. (5:58)