“JAMES MASON REMIXES,” a remix EP in which three artists breathe new life into tracks from the 1977 masterpiece *Rhythm Of Life*—the only leader album by master guitarist James Mason, who also played on Roy Ayers’ *Ubiquity*—has been released as a limited-edition vinyl-only product.
Popular not only in the jazz and rare groove scenes, but also in the loft and deep house scenes—and gaining significant popularity in the hip-hop scene thanks to Attica Blues’ 1997 cover released on Mo’ Wax— The percussive, driving floor classic “Free”—which has garnered popularity not only on the jazz and rare groove side but also on the loft and deep house side, as well as in the hip-hop scene thanks to Attica Blues’ 1997 cover on Mo’ Wax—is reimagined by Dego in the A1 track “Free - 2000black Remix” (sample 1), which infuses the original’s dynamism with a jazzy, urban 2000black sound and groove; A2 features “Good Thing,” a heartwarming, mellow soul classic, reimagined and reconstructed by Yukari BB—who has a close connection with Dego—who weaves a hip-hop-style beat with a pleasantly groovy synth bass to amplify its mellow charm: “Good Thing – Yukari BB Remix” (sample 2); on Side B, DJ Mitsu the Beats—known for his numerous collaborations with various artists, remix work, and GAGLE’s album release—who is set to continue releasing fantastic works in 2025—has reconstructed the classic “Free” into a percussive, groovy original world featuring a warm electric piano: B1 “Free - DJ Mitsu the Beats Remix” (sample 3), and “Mbewe - DJ Mitsu the Beats Remix,” which reimagines the urban, mellow classic “Mbewe” with a hip-hop beat and groove pulsing with mellow funk. A DJ-friendly 12-inch pressing featuring all four tracks at 45 RPM.
A deluxe, limited-edition vinyl release featuring a full-color jacket with an obi strip designed by die (Jazzy Sport) based on the original album, plus an enclosed illustration poster of James Mason drawn by mat—the artist behind 2000black’s artwork.