Remixes

by Rick Anderson Hailing from Nuremberg, Germany, Boozoo Bajou are one of those secret-handshake groups, a name that you invoke if you need to demonstrate your credentials as a genuine aficionado of underground European club music. This is just another way of saying that their 12" singles and remixes are almost impossible to find in the U.S., and this handy compilation is intended to help rectify that problem. It includes Boozoo Bajou's remixes of work by such eminent and obscure artists as Mary J. Blige ("Come Close") and the Funky Lowlives ("Bellaluna") as well as remixes by other artists of Boozoo Bajou tracks like "Under My Sensi" (presented here in three mixes, one by les Demons Flowers, one by Thievery Corporation, and one by Trio Elétrico) and "Night Over Manaus" (remixed by Soulboy Collective). The mood is generally funky in a very relaxed way, and things fall apart occasionally -- witness the dorky lyrics to Mousse T's "Gourmet de Funk." But by the time the nicely dubbed-up "Can't Take No More" rolls around you'll have forgotten all about that dud, and the Jon Hassell-style horn treatments on "Lava" will make you go back and hit "replay" about five times. Recommended.