The Groovescooter HQ is at it again. They’ve summoned the musical family together to refashion a theme and this time it’s all about espionage as classic James Bond tracks go “undercover’. Each artist received a top secret brief with the instructions, “You each have a licence to kill! Liquidate if necessary, but remember, these were some of the biggest pop songs of their day.†Indeed.
The result? An intriguing mix of interpretations from local and international musicians fusing electro, beats, jazzy dub and dangerous liaison. It’s impossible to decide on who the best assassin is on this album as they’ve all done their research. Don Meers has revived the “James Bond Theme’, Gotye’ vocal lashings force the listener to “Surrender’ while Fatt Dex has his back with the beats, Inga Liljestrom summons an arctic chill with a melancholy rendition of “From Russia With Love’ whilst Tina Harrod bravely tackles “Goldfinger’. Most of you would agree, I am sure, that it takes balls to tango with that tune and she executes it rather convincingly. Mothloop’ version of Drax’s Gambut is dripping with the smell of cold sweat whereas the Ollo boys increase the heat with Peta Morris (of Paul Mac). As they “dance into the fire’ you can hear the seductive flames flicker all around. Finally, just when you thought you couldn’ handle another remix of Burt Bacharach’ famous, “The Look of Love’ along come Lake Lustre and Dorit Chrysler to tar this old classic with a refreshing gloss of interest.
Mission accomplished? I think it’s safe to say there’ something here for everyone, but it will definitely have a greater appeal to dub fans, James Bond devotees or just those looking to hear more from some of Australia’ understated musical talents.
