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The remix has always been an important tool for the collage-minded post-modern musical artist. Now USOUNDS introduces remixica, our specially remixed remix reviews, where USOUNDS writers remix a new review of a remix album...

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ORIGINAL REVIEW: XIMER: Takako Minekawa
REMIXED BY: Various Artists
REVIEWED BY: Phillippe Coullette, IV

This album is a small one, but it's a gem. Takako's lilting vocals are the perfect implement for fellow stars like Cornelius, who remixes Milk Rock into a polyrhythmic sound cornucopia, as is his trademark. Other tracks just glide by, pop feathers on the golden zephyrs blowing through current Japanese electronic music.

The album also contains an acoustic version of Cloud Cuckoo Land-- while this version doesn't improve on the original, it made for the perfect end to a delightful day last week, when I had Theo guide the G5 to Aruba. My lovely wife Coverton-- of whom we shall speak no more-- couldn't join us, so I invited several female acquaintances to come along in her stead. I won't bore you with the details, but a marvelous day was had by all, especially me.

Around dawn I walked down to the beach alone, accompanied only by a portable stereo and the gently rising sun. The acoustic Cloud Cuckoo Land, with its mix of strummy melody, smooth computer bleeps, and singalong vocals, calmed my soul yet stirred my heart. The day was just beginning, and so was I. Compared to the sun and the sky and the sand, I was but an infant, the whole universe mine to discover anew.

I sat down and let the new sun wash over my body as I changed tracks to Black Forest, remixed by Kid Loco. It's Takako reimagined as a dancing 70's queen, complete with disco hooks and dreamy bluesky vocals. A few of the girls trickled out of the cabana and started to dance by my side...

Another day had come, and I was ready.

THE REMIX
BY CLARENCE BAXTER

it's a gem
it's a gem
it's a gem

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A few of the girls trickled out of the cabana and started to dance...

it's a gem
it's a gem

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Cornelius, who remixes Milk Rock

Cornelius
Cornelius
it's a gem

feather.jpg (3928 bytes)
pop feathers on the golden zephyrs blowing through Japan

pop feathers on the golden zephyrs blowing through Cloud Cuckoo Land
improve on the original
improve on the original
acoustic Cloud Cuckoo Land
smooth computer bleeps
just beginning
just beginning

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Theo guide the G5 to Aruba

"several female acquaintances"
especially me
especially me

singalong vocals changed tracks to Black Forest, acoustic melody stirred my heart...

{I was but an infant}
especially me
especially me

it's a gem
it's a gem

takako.gif (30952 bytes)

Takako reimagined
it's a gem
Japanese electro just glide by Takako's lilting vocals
it's a gem
it's a gem

+we shall speak no more+


USOUNDS | 07.09.1999


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Belle and Sebastian
Smith and Mighty
Fantastic Plastic Machine
Club 8
Peanut Butter Wolf
Cornelius
Curtis Mayfield
The Beta Band
Takako Minekawa
Spiritualized
Boards of Canada
Stereo Total
The Roots and Goodie MOb