Serendipia Remixes by John Beltran

The art of the remix is certainly alive and well, and is often the final piece of the jigsaw on records where an alternative perspective sits alongside original tunes - a mirrored yet respectful sound that adds to the overall musical narrative. It often helps when the source material has so much to take in, and on "Serendipia," the sonic ideas that John Beltran conjured up are a treasure trove for artists to work with. A breezy, Brazilian love affair, "Serendipia" is the kind of record to take around in your pocket, a sound that nurtures the body and soul with its delicate rhythms and enriching, mellow yet captivating melodic sequences. From the walking pace through to the rhythms of life, Beltran captured something truly extraordinary on this record, such is what we have come to expect from his fingertips. Sunrises, sunsets, orange-hued afternoons, and deep blue seas, it is a record for the pastoral times, to riding back and soaking up the goodness - music that maintains smiles in abundance, no matter where or when.

The revisit to "Serendipia" saw Oath approach some top-notch producers, who provided a bountiful array of alternative styles and takes on the hazy rhythms and gorgeous melodic features of Beltran’s original tracks. In doing so, the artists involved managed to capture the essence of the original LP, and that is of the broad diversity of feel which Beltran provided, with tracks swinging from genre and style with ease and intuition. What is perhaps handled the best is the balance between the original cuts and the musical personality of the music makers involved, and that makes for a truly feel-good experience.

Danilo Plessow’s remix of "Sa Coma Blue" slides into view as the record’s opener. Plessow turbo-charges the core melodic drivers of the original, moving the atmosphere into a club environment with high-line drumming patterns, driving synth sequences, and a firm hand on controlling the shifts in energy and mood. Kareem Ali is up next with his spin on "Cachaca," with a house-leaning twist put on this rhythmically enriching palette. Ali draws focus on a piano riff found within the original, which acts as the melodic cornerstone of the track as it weaves and grooves into the night.

Melodiesinfonie turns up next with their take on "Suenos Soleados," as the light starts to pour in on the dance floor. Slow, sultry, and easy-going, this track breezes along with a gentle whisper, with plenty of space available for a glorious array of instrumentation. Guitar and keys are given plenty of time to breathe, particularly in those dreamy breakdown moments. Session Victim then present their take on "Ask Anlari," with this reworking spreading out the relatively short original cut and adding a fresh heap of drums whilst incorporating the original melodic density expertly. This one unravels like the freshest sunset going; it's one to dip your head into.

"Em Trancoso," which lands next, is flipped from sun-kissed to nighttime groover with some class by Em Trancoso. The rhythm and melody are spread out, with a hefty dosage of space added into the blend, which creates a rhythmic work of art. Lastly, we have Xique-Xique’s remix of "Yangu Milele," which stays true to the original in all the best ways. Similar tempo, similar thuds, and a spread of rhythmic notions that will get the heart skipping, a perfect way to see out the record.

'Serendipia’ provided a rich insight into John Beltran’s musical universe, and this remix record helps to add further to that album’s rich legacy. All the artists involved throw their hats into the ring, providing enlightening and characterful reworkings which are as dynamic as they are diverse. Each track flows into one another, capturing the musical dexterity of the original music and, in turn, contributing to a wholesome, rewarding musical experience. A record with many moments, and Oath couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with the world.

John Beltran - Serendipia Remixes
Release Date September 2024
Label Oath

Tracklist
1. John Beltran feat. John Arnold - Sa Coma Blue (Danilo Plessow Remix)
2. John Beltran - Cachaça (Kareem Ali Remix)
3. John Beltran - Suenos Soleados (Melodiesinfonie Remix)
4. John Beltran - Aşk Anları (Session Victim Remix)
5. John Beltran - Em Trancoso (Fila Brazillia Remix)
6. John Beltran - Yangu Milele (Xique-Xique Remix)