In the summer of 2010 Mercury Music Prize winners (and Everything But The Girl fans) The xx asked Tracey Thorn and her long-time partner in EBTG Ben Watt (also Strange Feeling label boss) to record a track from the The xx’s debut album for a special compilation the band were commissioning of covers of the album's songs by their favourite artists. Unfortunately the project fell apart a few months later for numerous logistical reasons (not least the second wind breathed into the original album by the Mercury Prize victory) but not before Tracey had sung a new version of one the album most beautiful tracks, 'Night Time'.
The track gathered dust for a few months but it is rightfully seeing the light of day on a new EP from Tracey Thorn called the 'Night Time EP', released on Strange Feeling on October 31, much to the delight of all concerned. 'Night Time' was handpicked by Tracey and features Ben guesting on guitars and backing vocals (it is the first time the two have played together on a recording for over ten years) with the drums, programming and mix coming courtesy of Tracey's current production collaborator Ewan Pearson (producer of both Tracey's recent acclaimed album 'Love And Its Opposite' and 2007's 'Out Of The Woods'). As Tracey re-articulates Romy's lyrics, Ben fluidly arpeggiates the original interwoven guitar lines into one seamless pass, while Ewan adds crisp fresh half-tempo drums, atmospheric misty synths and booming bass.
On the flip side, one of 'Love And Its Opposite''s most popular tracks 'Swimming' is revisited. Ewan buffs up and re-edits last year's remix by (then emerging and now) current dance producers-du-jour, Visionquest (Detroit's Seth Troxler, Ryan Crosson, Lee Curtiss) into a new version, with judicious new drum parts and a sparkling widescreen mix-down. Expect serious late summer club action. Meanwhile, UK underground house legend Charles Webster adds his magic totoo, with a beautifully percussive main mix and a rainy, autumnal dub.
Released by: Strange Feeling, a division of Buzzin' Fly Records
Release/catalogue number: 012FEEL
Release date: Oct 31, 2011
Buy limited edition 12" blue vinyl, some signed by Tracey - http://www.buzzinfly.com/shop
Buy download - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/night-time-ep/id468146560
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