Ledisi is a new face in the music scene. Her debut album "Lost And Found" has just been released on Verve Forecast and is chock full of jazzy, soulful songs that are begging to get played. Not one to rest on just her talent alone, the label has issued a slew of dance remixes for the first single "Alright." Though I truly believe not every singer needs to have their music reprocessed for club consumption, the remixes that are here actually do add new dimensions to the existing track.
Funky Junction & Antony Reale use their Extended Remix to turn the track into a foot-stomping anthem. The synthesizer stabs and thumping bassline add up to an electro house jam that pulses with energy. The drums and electronic beats do not seem to ever overshadow Ledisi's vocals, which is always an issue with these sorts of mixes. The effects that are used on her vocals occasionally are also not overdone or overused. Matty's Soulflower Mix goes into a late night house direction, full of pianos and percussion. It's a very chilled-out and sensual vibe yet funky enough to get your toes tapping. Matty also has a PDP Vocal mix, which introduces some harder keyboards and more church organ to the mix. This mix is also short on full vocals, so it's truly more of a dub. Angel Manuel's Twisted Late Nite Mix is just as the title suggests. Much more bass and spacey effects are here, but all these extras strip the song of its emotion. It doesn't seem to fit the song as well as the previous mixes. I just don't hear this song being played late at night at any club. Lastly, Dave Warrin's Vocal Mix goes for a deliberate R&B style, leaving behind any club feel and concentrating on Ledisi's singing. This mix is very nice and would be perfect for any sort of hip lounge or smooth soul club.
"Alright" is truly alright! Each of the mixes aims for a different style and feel and each one achieves that goal easily. Ledisi's full and rich voice fits the bill for most of these mixes and it seems the label did the right thing by suggesting this track get the remix treatment. We should be hearing and seeing this song climb many taste making DJ's set lists very soon.