by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Fred Everything returns to last year’s Love, Care, Kindness & Hope, presenting a set of alternative versions, instrumentals, dubs, reprises and a couple of unreleased tracks, Broken Flute Thing and A Long Time Coming.

He does so mostly under his own steam, or with a couple of carefully chosen remixers – blending what is to all intents and purposes a new, stripped back album.

What’s the music like?

This isn’t your average remix cash-in – quite the opposite, as Fred Everything has curated a classy and well thought out collection that moves really nicely between house, dub, breezy beatless instrumentals and a few tougher house moments.

On the clubbier side sits the excellent Atjazz Galaxy Aart remix of Asolee, and Evening Ghost (Live at Mutek), which has a sharp edge. Moonrise (Dub) has a hint of the ‘80s club in its reworking.

These are complemented with some really lovely hot weather moments. The Lazy Dub version of Breathe hits the sweet spot straight away, with some beautiful string arrangements, while the sultry Alternate Version of Never, with typically winsome vocals from Robert Owens, benefits from Finn Peters’ saxophone artistry. A Long Dub Coming is a beauty, the pick of the two versions of the track here – Sapele’s vocals complemented by rich instrumentation. Meanwhile Soul Love proves a hot and humid beauty in beatless instrumental form, while Broken Flute Thing works a treat with a nagging piano motif.

Does it all work?

It does – and as such proves an ideal complement to the original album.

Is it recommended?

It certainly is. Quality house music on the deeper side for the summer, which you’re encouraged to acquire without delay…along with the original album if you don’t have it already!

For fans of… Miguel Migs, Osunlade, Atjazz, Andy Caldwell

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,474 – Saturday 15 March 2025