After the enormous success of 'My Favourite Letters', Alice Russell returns with a second collection of collaborations, remixes and alternate takes. Already established as a gifted vocalist and songwriter in her own right, the 13 tracks chosen for 'Under The Munka Moon II' serve as a testament, not only to the breadth of Alice's appeal, but also to her versatility as an artist. From soul to jazz, from folk to funk, downbeat to broken beat, hip hop to reggae and even soaking up a little drum & bass energy for good measure, Alice switches genres with natural grace and style, aided and abetted by her musical co-conspirators.
Highlights include a certified future classic from the hugely popular Bugz In The Attic, who transform 'Could Heaven Ever Be Like This' by Japanese electronica don Susumu Yokota into a funky broken beat number, perfect for those long summer nights. The Boub remix of 'Hurry On Now' (a favourite from the first 'Under The Munka Moon' compilation) twists the original into a head-nodding, hip-swinging 80s inspired reggae number; complete with pulsing bassline, carnivalesque keys and those inimitable vintage electro-tom drum sounds.
Other remixes include an infectious, jazzy drum & bass roller courtesy of Nu:Tone, DJ Vadim's acclaimed hip hop re-rub of 'A Fly In The Hand' and laid-back, soulful gems courtesy of Bonobo and Wyndham Earl. Nostalgia 77's incendiary cover of 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stripes makes a welcome appearance alongside collaborations with Unforscene, Natural Self and TM Juke.
The album is also peppered with exclusive stripped-down live tracks, which breathe new life into Alice's own back catalogue. In particular, an acoustic cut of 'Mean To Me' forgoes the horns and electronic glitz of the studio version for a seductive vaudevillian folk feel, perfectly tailored for the intimacy of smoky music-hall backrooms or twilight gypsy campfires.
For all its glorious eclecticism, 'Under The Munka Moon II' has a distinct a sense of purpose and coherence that all compilations strive for but rarely ever achieve. The key to this is Alice herself - whose breathtaking voice weaves the divergent styles and sounds of her collaborators together to produce an essential album for newcomers and longtime fans alike.