Customer Reviews

Merry Mixmas

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It seems every year there' s a whole stack of new Christmas collections coming out for us the general public to purchase. Most of them are basically just rehashed and repackaged collections of the same old songs we've heard on previous years collections. Within that tall stack of CD's there's always a couple of fun gems that turn up. Which is the story of Merry Mixmas from Capitol Records. It's an excellent collection of Christmas Classics remixed by the hottest remix artists out there. Of course these tracks are all available on Capitols Christmas Cocktails CD collections volumes 1 - 3 in their original forms. This CD basically collects the best tracks from those CD's and offers them on one CD in the hot remixed format.

The CD starts fairly slow with a Bent Remix of Winter Wonderland by Bing Crosby. This remix sounds so good it doesn't really sound like a remix as it keeps the elements of the original track in this version and it feels like nothings really remixed or done to this track. It's a nice way to start a Christmas CD a slower paced track and build up to the more upbeat versions later on in the collection.

Up next is a fun and lively remix of Nat King Cole's All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) by MJ Cole. I think MJ Cole has come up with an excellent remix of this classic track which utilizes all of the great vocals with an updated sound but keeping that great retro feel of the original version.

Dean Martin's Baby It's Cold Outside remix by ARP is what follows next. Again with this remix it feels like the original version but there's that added extra beat that the original didn't have. It's quite nicely done by ARP.

The Latin Project have done a wonderful remix of Ella Fitzgerald's Sleigh Ride by giving it a Latin mid-tempo vibe to it. Ella Fitzgerald's vocals sound so good within a remix as we've heard in the Verve Remixed series and this track is another winner as far as remixes of Ella Fitzgerald tracks go. Next up should be a whole collection of Ella's classics on one CD.

What comes next is one of the better remixes on this collection. Santa Baby remixed by Alexkid & DJ Sleep and sung by the original Catwoman herself Eartha Kitt. This track actually feels like a remix which is what this collection is supposed to be a Christmas CD of remixes. The beatz, clicks and bass just move along with lovely Eartha's voice. That classic track is sung so perfectly by Miss Eartha Kitt. The remix still has elements of the original but it's quite good what Alexkid & DJ Sleep have done. Perfected it for the Remix Generation.

Up next is a mellow chill remix of Lou Rawl's Have Yourself A Merry Christmas by awayTeam. It's a lovely track with fun electronic sounds and cute beats mixed in with his original vocals.

Lena Horn's Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! remixed by Suedojazz fades up to full effect with the beats already in progress. Lena's vocals immediately start up and the jazzy reworked track takes full effect. This remix clocks in at two minutes and fifty five seconds and it's a groovy upbeat reworking of the original. Fun and to the point as it's quite short.

Malibu have done a hip and quirky update to Billy May's Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo by adding the cute vocal snippets to the track. This version pretty much stays true to it's original form except for the added beats, vocals and record scratches by Malibu.

Onto the next track we have Kay Starr's (Everybody's Waiting For) The Man With The Bag remixed by Thunderball. Thunderball are known for releasing loungy downbeat electronica and this track was the perfect choice for them to remix. The beats are loud and Kay's vocals complement them perfectly.

Psapp's Lady Remix of I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by Les Brown & Band is another quick and to the point remix of a classic Chrstmas tune. This version has the upbeat Big Band groove with the great female vocals. I like how they have incorporated the sounds of casino tables into the track. I think those sound effects work great with this track.

Fatman Is Coming, Fatman Is Coming yell out the backing vocals in Johnny Mercer's Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town remixed by Q-Burns Abstract Message. The version has been given a big bouncy beat feel to the track and feels more like a remix rather an update to the original track.

Nancy Wilson's upbeat reworking of The Christmas Waltz by awayTeam is quite different in feel compared to Lou Rawl's more relaxed and laidback reworking of Have Yourself A Merry Christmas. This track has the big beats and the cute Christmas feel and charm of yesteryear.

Ursula 1000's remix of Julie London's I'd Like You For Christmas has been given the upbeat energy as the original is quite mellow and it's one of my favorites. Ursula 1000 is known for producing retro sounding loungy electronic music and this remix sure sounds like it's right up his alley. It's a hip swinging remix.

The Merriest by June Christy remixed by Thunderball is another fun upbeat energetic remix of the wonderful track. It has the Big Band samples, the beautiful vocals of June Christies and Thunderballs excellent production and remix skills. This one of the better remixes on this set.

Finally we are up to the last track on this collection and it's Vince Guaraldi Trio's Christmas Time Is Here by remixed by Markus Enochson. This unfortunately is one of the weaker remixes and I was hoping this collection would close on a bang but it's unfortunately a bust!

Overall Merry Mixmas is a fun CD. It has great classic Christmas tracks updated and remixed by top Electronic musicians and remixer's. Unfortunately most of the remixes don't really feel like remixes and they are quite short in length. I was hoping to totally fall in love with this collection like I have with other remix collections in the past for example like the Verve Remixed collection but this collection is 50 percent great and 50 percent just ok.

SJ
www.beatzblog.com

I'm one who really likes this kind of funky, ultra-modern mixed up type of music. However, I've found that once you own one or two discs, all the rest of it sounds the same. I took a chance on this one based on reviews I read here, and I was not disappointed. It is GREAT. A total jam from beginning to end. If this is your kind of music, THIS cd will make you very, very happy. The mixes are different- different beats, different voices, different artists. Try it, you'll love it!

These are classic Christmas tunes delicately blended with some new grooves. They have that classic sound that made you fall in love with them in the first place but with an updated groove. If you have listened to other remixed Christmas CD's and found them over-mixed, then give this a listen.

A few songs that stand out are Dean Martin's "Baby, It's Cold Outside" and Ella Fitzgerald's "Sleigh Ride". Both these artists wonderful voices really standout with the addition of a little bassline. Lena Horne's "Let It Snow!" and Nancy Wilson's "Christmas Waltz" put me squarely in the curved booth in the corner with a warm Hot Toddy.

There is also some fun stuff here. Billy May's "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo" gives Christmas a latin groove. "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" with Johnny Mercer is fun and upbeat as is Kay Starr's "The Man With The Bag".

Bing Crosby almost escapes unscathed here.

If you tire of the originals year after year but still think something would be missing without the classics, then pick this up.

The only reason I give this CD four stars out of five is that I do prefer my remixes a little more mixed. I love the Christmas Remixed CD's but I know a few people who think they remove too much from the originals. This CD really stays close to the originals while still adding some great grooves. Merry Mixmas preserves some true classics for a new generation.

I'm a huge fan of Christmas music and holiday music in general, and usually don't think they should be messed with, but Merry Mixmas is the exception. It was remixed in a very subtle way that still allows me to enjoy some of my favorite Xmas songs with a little extra flare.
This one should be bought and listened to while decorating the tree.

It was about time I don't feel like cutting my veins when I listened to depressing Hollidays songs. Excelent to throw your Christmas Party with ! Groovy and danceable .... nice, very chic

I have had this CD for a few years now, and recently noticed there was a difference in the track list compared to the CD and the MP3 version. Thanks to "XmasFLIX" on YouTube for pointing out the following...

Two tracks on the CD are no longer in DIGITAL form.
Theses two tracks are only on Merry Mixmas: CD:
Santa Baby [Alexkid & DJ Seep Remix] - Eartha Kitt
Sleigh Ride [The Latin Project Remix] - Ella Fitzgerald

MP3 album version offers two tracks NOT on the CD.
Theses two tracks are only on Merry Mixmas: MP3:
Sleigh Ride (Ralph Myerz Remix) - Ferrante & Teicher
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Charles Webster Remix) - Ella Fitzgerald

That XmasFlix channel has more info, but the video is the version of Eartha Singing live and the remix follows on the same video. Very cool. Get the CD! Since I have the CD I got the 2 extra MP3 downloads. Fab!

This CD features remixes of Christmas songs from the Capital Records vault. The songs originally were recorded in the 1950s and '60s. The remixes were done in 2004 and 2005. The songs have been remixed into an "electronica" style, in most cases. It's kind of an odd idea, but it works, for the most part. The results sound classic but contemporary at the same time. I particularly like the remixes of "Rudolph" and "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town". This is a fun Christmas CD that gets something new out of something old.

With the glut of remix albums flooding the market these days, it should come as no surprise that there are a slew of them showing up in the Holiday music bins... two of the more promising new ones (despite the awful cover art on both) are Merry Mixmas on Capitol/EMI and Christmas Remixed 2 from Six Degrees. Will either of them have you hip-hopping arond the tree?

The Merry Mixmas crew would seem to have the advantage of pulling from the vast EMI catalogue for classic source material by artists such as Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald and Lou Rawls (most original tracks are from the excellent Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails collections). There are some noted remixers/DJs/whatever involved that even I have heard of including MJ Cole, Q-Burns, and Ursula 1000.

There are a few standout tracks, like Bent's dreamily ambient take on Bingo's "Winter Wonderland" and PSapp's vocal twist on Les Brown's "I've Got My Love to Keep me Warm." The overall result, however, is a surprisingly bland collection of remixes that are so respectful and similar to the originals that they are almost redundant. The formula for almost every remix is to let the original vocal track play through with little or no change while adding a subtle layer of techno drum, bass, and synth effects resulting in a tastefully updated electronic variation -- but not a radically transformed new creation. The one remix that diverts substantially from the original turns out to be a tortured re-casting of Nancy Wilson's "The Christmas Waltz" into 4/4 time (or does awayTEAM not know how to program 3/4 beats into a drum machine?) Otherwise, it all goes down a little too easy with few surprises, shocks, or smiles... it's basically a remix album that even your grandmother might like -- but is that really what you want out of a remix album? Besides, she'll enjoy Chirstmas Cocktails a lot more... and so do I.

Decision: Christmas Remixed 2 (break)beats Merry Mixmas, y'all... word (and so forth...) [see my Amazon review of Christmas Remixed 2 for details...]

[Note to Santa: you can finally get Christmas Cocktails Part 3 without having to re-buy Parts 1 & 2 in the Ultimate Christmas Cocktails box set (as it should have been all along! Shame on you, Capitol... expect coal in your stockings!)]

I love this cd! The mixes are just upbeat enough and different, while maintaining the original gems. However, watch out for different CD pressings (2005-2008 all have slightly different tracks) and the digital version leaves out the PRICELESS Santa Baby remix! Get the physical CD and download the other tracks.

On CD ONLY:
Sleigh Ride [The Latin Project Remix] - Ella Fitzgerald
Santa Baby [Alexkid & DJ Seep Remix] - Eartha Kitt

Digital Download ONLY:
Sleigh Ride (Ralph Myerz Remix) - Ferrante & Teicher
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (Charles Webster Remix) - Ella Fitzgerald

Come on...the voices are in the background and the music is in the front. It should be the other way around. I like it when they remix songs but I like the singer to sound like they recorded it that way, which of course they didn't since most of them are dead.

Happy Holidays!