CéU's self-titled debut album gained the Sao Paolo, Brazil singer and musician a great deal of attention. She presented a new style of Brazilian music with a sultry, jazzy, sexy, and soulful sound. On this Remixed EP, available only in digital format, you can add smoky and dubby to the list. It's 6 tracks (depending on your digital vendor of choice) are remixes from fellow Six Degrees talents, Bombay Dub Orchestra and Zaman 8, as well as Brazil's 1000Grau Martins and Instituto, along with fresh US artist Eidetaker.

1. Roda (Bombay Dub Orchestra's grateful dub radio mix)
2. Malemolencia (1000Grau Martins remix)
3. Rainha (ZAMAN 8's cadence remix)
4. Lenda (Eidetaker encanto remix)
5. Malemolencia (Instituto remix)
6. Roda (Bombay Dub Orchestra's grateful dub)(full length version)

The Bombay Dub Orchestra mix of "Roda" entitled "Bombay Dub Orchestra's Grateful Dub" is far and away the strongest of the set. It comes in two flavors, the "radio" mix and "full length". It's slowly rolling and super deep bass line underscore some nice acoustic guitar work and CéU's soft lullaby tone. When she moves the melody into its chorus the sound is so strong and beautiful it's just hard to believe.

The work 1000Grau Martins keep the dub vibe going with their mix of "Malemolencia" but don't really work in full dub fashion. The sound floats somewhere between that and really mellow Latin music, and they definitely give Bombay Dub Orchestra some competition in terms of the best mix here.

Zaman 8 change the mood into something far more upbeat. After the last two exercises in relaxation though, I just can't make the jump and get into it. The tempo of their mix of "Rainha" moves far too quickly.

Eidetaker move us into a hip hop and jazzy torch song influenced state with their slow burning "Encanto" remix of "Lenda". This one drips with a certain kind of folky, pop infected, jazzy sexiness.

Instituto take on "Malemolencia" and similar to 1000Grau Martins treatment, fill it with laid back beats, but enjoin that with jazz instrumentation, wood flute, and an unmistakably South American flavor.

With the exception of Zaman 8's mix, CéU's Remixed EP qualifies as absolutely essential listening for anyone with an ear for Latin influenced downtempo rhythms.

Add a Comment