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On its’ release in November 2022, Daniel Stenger’s debut mini-album as Flashbaxx, Take Care My Friend, won plenty of plaudits for its’ enticing blend of jazz-funk instrumentation, audible warmth, effortless musicality, and memorable, sun-soaked songs. Now the set returns in remixed and reworked form, with a sextet of artists taking it in turns to put a new spin on the German producer’s carefully crafted and immaculately executed tracks.
The six-cut vinyl version boasts two revisions that have already made waves on digital download: a genuinely life-affirming hip-hop-soul take on ‘Strangers’ courtesy of East Midlands’ maestro Atjazz, where Katherine Kempf’s smouldering lead vocals rise above head-nodding beats, woozy electric piano chords, yearning horn arrangements and smooth bass guitar, and a sublime Moods mix of ‘Love Boat’ that re-frames the track as a languid, groove-fired shuffle through Balearic jazz-funk territory.
The other four reworks, which are exclusive to this EP, are similarly inspired. Chris Pookah collaboration ‘City Lights’ is given the remix treatment not once, but twice. First NuNorthern Soul regulars Mike Salta and Mortale re-imagine the track as a gently breezy, dusk-ready blend of bouncy, samba-influenced grooves and colourful Balearic nu-disco, before BJ Smith – the first artist to release music on Phil Cooper’s imprint way back in 2012 – takes the track into semi-acoustic, blue-eyed-soul-meets-Balearic jazz-funk territory. Gentle, tactile and vibrant, it’s a stunning, soul-stirring revision.
To round off the EP, two producers renowned for creating atmospheric, sunrise-ready soundscapes deliver their versions of Stenger’s kaleidoscopic, musically rich aural visions. Marshall Watson handles ‘Alright’, smothering a languid, slow-motion drum machine beat in jazzy double bass, delay-laden electric piano motifs, lazy jazz guitars, rising synth strings and the dreamiest of pads.
Then, to round things off in considerable style, Tambores En Benirras reworks title track ‘Take Care My Friend’, teasing out the track’s inherent musical colour and warmth whilst adding his own distinctive spin. Pleasingly hard to pigeonhole, his remix makes extensive use of deep, dubby bass, Latin-style percussion, leisurely beats, blossoming synth sounds and all manner of effects-laden instrumental flourishes – including guitar solos that recall some of Dave Gilmour’s most laidback, eyes-closed moments. It provides a genuinely brilliant conclusion to an effortlessly impressive set of remixes.
The DJ and producer, born in 1981, lives music with heart and soul. Since 2003, his releases between jazz, soul and funk
have been featured internationally on countless compilations (including Sony Music, EMI, Ministry Of Sound) alongside greats such as Moby, Jazzanova, Blank & Jones or Bonobo and consistently find their way into the playlists of tastemaker DJs around the globe....more
supported by 34 fans who also own “Take Care My Friend Remixes”
Stunningly beautiful - top marks :-) literally cannot wait for the record to pop through my letterbox now, for me this is a 'must have' on vinyl type album Dobson
supported by 33 fans who also own “Take Care My Friend Remixes”
The Italian dream house rebirth of '‘Waves Take Hold’' is a fascinating multi-infuenced circa 1990 tune. Bonnie & Klein appears sweatily dance-friendly more uptempo than usual lately and their crafted ethereal "Ocean Leap'' is an unmistakable Mediterranean flavoured tune that surfs over classic, rare and hidden Greek electronic vibes and deep Balearic disco aqua manine shapes. Combining late 80s new age and world-sourced rememberence, the ‘'Endless Ocean’' by Mirage offers an old journey. Yiannis Nova Dorakis