As part of their 10th anniversary celebration, the Tru Thoughts label has released a cover tunes compilation that’s head and shoulders above the rest in terms of creativity and musical diversity. Perhaps the most well known here is Nostalgia 77 and Alice Russell’s take on “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes, which still packs quite a punch several years later.
Look no further than the production/arrangement genius of Will Holland (a.k.a. Quantic) to get an idea of this collection’s potential. His Soul Orchestra turns in funked-up versions of 4 Hero’s “Hold It Down” and Mr. Scruff’s “Get A Move On” while his Combo Bárbaro conjures up a Latin-drenched interpretation of Portishead’s “Wandering Star.”
The spirit of New Orleans is proudly represented by The Hot 8 Brass Band, giving Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” a Bourbon Street makeover. Lizzy Parks is in fine form, belting out the lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s “It Was A Very Good Year” with the right amount of style and sass to make it her own.
However, the show stopper of the bunch has got to be J. Viewz covering Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” featuring a wicked future soul facelift from Bugz In The Attic and great lyrical phrasing from vocalist Noa Lembersky. With many still in disbelief over the King of Pop’s departure, this cathartic version is as original and memorable as the performer who left us far too soon.
