Verve Records announce a new collection of music from fabled musician Nina Simone. Feeling Good: Her Greatest Hits and Remixes gathers the most iconic songs recorded throughout Simone’s career and includes seven remixes by renowned DJs from around the globe...

This is a bit of a strange compilation album, but I get what the producers were going for. On this 2-disc album we get 19 original Nina Simone singles as well as 7 remixes.

Many might ask why on earth these remixes are included at all. Obviously Simone never heard them, let alone gave her stamp of approval. so why are they included? I guess it showcases how music can be and has been repurposed and given a new lease of life for clubbing music. Yeah, personally I'm not a fan, but they make for an interesting listen and I'm sure these were included in a bid to attract a more modern audience. But then it might have worked better if two albums had been produced. A standard compilation album of her greatest work and a modern album of remixes.

To be honest the remixes remain respectful of the original material helping to bring Simone's songs into a more modern format to appeal to a younger audience. The one exception though is 'My Baby Just Cares for Me (HONNE Remix)' which for some odd reason see Simone's vocal's just very slightly out of tune with the remix, making it a truly cringe worthy experience.

It's an interesting, if controversial, release which is bound to divide fans. While I enjoyed it, I can see why many will have a problem with it.

Track listing:

Disc 1
01. Feeling Good
02. My Baby Just Cares for Me
03. I Put a Spell On You
04. Sinnerman
05. Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
06. See-line Woman
07. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
08. Ain't Got No/I Got Life
09. Lilac Wine
10. Ne Me Quitte Pas
11. Love Me Or Leave Me
12. Don't Explain
13. Mississippi Goddam (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York, 1964)

Disc 2
01. Strange Fruit
02. Wild Is the Wind
03. Work Song
04. I Loves You Porgy
05. Mood Indigo
06. Take Care of Business
07. Feeling Good (Joel Correy Remix)
08. See-line Woman (Riton Remix)
09. Sinnerman (Sofi Tukker Remix)
10. My Baby Just Cares for Me (HONNE Remix)
11. Take Care of Business (Rudimental Remix)
12. I Put a Spell On You (Floorplan Remix)
13. Be My Husband (Hot Chip Remix)

7

Nick Smithson