CASUAL CONNECTION Vinyl & CDs

Review: Casual Connection returns with a pair of clever edits that breathe new life into familiar classics. On 'Downtown King Kunta', the team samples Ginuwine's iconic 'Pony' and adds a fresh rap vocal, reimagining the smooth, sultry vibe with an energetic, streetwise twist. The track strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation, giving listeners a new appreciation for the beloved sound. On the flip side, 'Billie's Milkshake' takes Busta Rhymes' 'Gimme Some More' and gives it a playful, bass-heavy makeover. The edit retains the original's dynamic energy while adding a contemporary flavor that'll have crowds moving. Casual Connection's ability to elevate these tracks while keeping the essence intact showcases their skill in remixing and reinvigorating hip-hop and r&b staples.

Review: Kendrick Lamar's 'King Kunta' and Kelis' 'Milkshake' hear an unlikely pairing on the perfunctorily named Edits series. The former track - some might agree its dust is still settling, as it was released in 2015 - sounds almost twice as lively here, its "oh, yes, you can, oh, yes you can!" ad-lib sounding about as squeezed as a hand-wrung lime steeped in its own juices and then dried out in Saharan heat. There's a diatonic, electric piano hook added on top too; Kelis' flip has a similar feel, mashing up the noughts teaser hit with a dash of easily identified r&b goodness - we're 99% sure you'll recognise the instrumental, its having also originated somewhere in the familiar fires of pop musical preeminence.

Review: Western Australian Casual Connection has been serving up occasional seven-inch singles of edits and reworks since 2019, each pleasingly limited and packed with cuts tweaked for dancefloor pressure. This '45' is the Perth-based producer's first outing of 2024. On side A you'll find '1 Thing Feels So Good', a cannily crafted number in which the vocal from Amerie R&B classic 'One Thing' rides a backing track built out of loops and samples from a pitched-down disco-boogie classic. It's cheeky but brilliantly executed - instant party-starting guaranteed! His love of blending r&b and hip-hop vocals with classic samples and his own beats comes to the fore once more on 'Always Party on Time'. It's good, too, but lacks the instant gratification provided by the A-side.