It is all about expectations. What do you expect when you ask someone like Moodyman to do a remix? Asking the uber-picky, uber-deep Kenny Dixon Jr., normally results in an answer like this: “...*Silence*...”. The last thing you expect is something like: “I like the track and I want to do a remix for it!” That’s exactly what happened when Compost came with the request to Detroit’s J.A.N., to add some of his Detroit flavour to an already delicious meal. “Forgotten Places” based on a sample by the late Jazz legend Shirley Horn, taken from her “LA Breakdown” album, is really an outstanding piece of music. Alif Tree, whose album “French Cuisine” already released in February, was able to create a really special mood when building his track around the voice of Ms. Horn. Working with sampled and real sounds the track unfolds into a really deep tune. Using samples from jazz vocalists often looks and sounds very unnatural, unmusical and very often disrespectful to the original work. Not in this case, as Alif Tree’s track feels very natural. You can hear the respect Alif Tree has for the music he works with. Perhaps it was the same impression that made Moodyman do the remix...
However, his remix stays true to original, but you’ll still know: this is the work of Kenny Dixon Jr.
The B-Side features a new remix by Alif Tree himself, which shifts “Forgotten Places” to a new direction: straight on the floor! This approach works really well, making “Alif Tree’s ‘LA’ Mix” basically a new track. The last mix comes from South African elctronic-wunderkind Felix Laband. Felix’, whose debut album on Compost “Dark Days Exit” was one of the highlights of last year, approaches Forgotten Places from a different perspective. Adding a new subtle bassline and the way he works and twists samples, results in a playful but quirky sound. Imagine Four Tet, being able to do melodies. Four Mixes, four different ways of making music should ensure, that “Forgotten Places” is not going to end in a forgotten place.
Lo-fi experimental synth music from the Estonian producer and frequent Dean Blunt Collaborator, crafted in conjunction with a graphic novel. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 24, 2024