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I was thinking about how this is probably what the young hipsters are listening to. And then I thought about how there's nothing more pathetic than old hipsters. Except maybe the Beat poets, because they thought they were completely in a groove (or acted for all the world as if they thought that), and they didn't even have rock and roll or hip hop. I mean think about it: how pathetic is that? But if there are any old hipsters or Beats still around, I believe their pathos could be lightened considerably simply by tuning in to Christmas Remixed 2, the new urban electronic release by Six Degrees Records. Because in addition to all of the trancy little beats and grooves on this groovy, new various artists recording, there are loads of old R&B, jazz and easy listening phrases, riffs and arrangements doing double duty as found art in this magnificent, kitsch-laden, post-modern art soup.

There are many fine tracks here, and something for everyone, but I particularly liked Good King Wenceslas (Patrick Krouchian Remix), a trance retooling, if not retelling, of the story of the Good King. Cleverly unrecognizable also was I'll Be Home For Christmas (Ohmega Watts Remix). I heard faint whispers of the songs I know, but this is primarily an exercise in disguise. It's Highlights for Children's Find the Hidden Pictures. And yet as soon as I begin believing these producers have entirely obscured an old chestnut of a song, there croons Bing Crosby, whaling on White Christmas, drum machined but completly unobfuscated.

I liked this CD from the start, and enjoyed each song better than the last. There are surprises at every turn, and there are a lot of turns, hairpin turns. Mahalia Jackson's Silent Night (46bliss Remix) at the end knocked me out. Even the CD packaging is durable and nicely presented. So, even if you don't like urban music--listen up Beats, bar flies, Baptists, rednecks, red state parental types, and old hipsters (you know who you are!)--you should give Christmas Remixed 2 a hearing. You will thank me.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2006)

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From the liner notes:

Produced by Jeff Daniel & David Hargis
Executive Producers: Jeff Daniel, Billy Straus, & Doug Bernheim
A&R for Six Degrees Records: Robert Duskis
Art Direction/Design: Michael Snyder

Various Artists

Christmas Remixed 2

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Track List