Basement Jaxx vs. Metropole Orkest

An extremely simple idea

It is already almost eighteen years that the British duo Basement Jaxx (Felix Buxton, Simon Ratcliffe) has been pleasing the audience with its albums each of which has said at least one new word in club music. Its hits Samba Magic, Where's Your Head At, Red Alert and many others are known all around the world, especially among those who enjoys the darkness of night clubs or has been at least once at one of the world's dance resorts. It goes without saying that the fans are anticipating each new album impatiently, and on hearing the news that the musicians were going to experiment with other music directions some fans got upset because there would not be new things from Basement Jaxx at night clubs for some time, but most were happy to hear that. Whatever these talented producers and DJs do the results always surprise everyone. The first in the list of their new works is the collaborative project with the famous Dutch orchestra Metropole Orkest, the biggest band in the word comprising musicians playing jazz, rock and pop music. The idea is extremely simple – the orchestra is playing Basement Jaxx’ hits – it is the result that exceeds expectations. The classic instruments brilliantly play what digital devices use to perform which is why the album Basement Jaxx vs Metropole Orkest is going to be appreciated by both modern classic music lovers and those fond of dancing.

A magnificent concert Basement Jaxx vs Metropole Orkest

This album cannot be considered as a Basement Jaxx compilation for the band plays only the authors’ role here, but this amazing music would never be created without it in the first place. Which is why the title Basement Jaxx vs Metropole Orkest fully reflects the very essence of this original and bold project. In fact, since all the tracks are performed by the orchestra, the record might seem monotonous at first sight, but it is far from being it. Just as the original pieces differ from each other, the same way the character of each of them is rendered by strengthening this or that instrumental part in them. The recording features applauses at the end of each composition which adds to the effect of our presence at this magnificent concert. The orchestra which is conducted by famous arranger and composer Vince Mendoza for six years now includes fifty-two musicians, a part of which is a jazz band formed a long time ago. The orchestra contains the so-called ‘double rhythm section’ one part of which is responsible for jazz based music and another for pop and rock. The musicians have approached their collaboration with Basement Jaxx with great interest and enthusiasm which can be heard on each album’s track. Among them there are definitely such hits as Red Alert – xylophone, violins, cellos, triangle and winds have turned it into a very piece full of anxiety, Hey U, that has become a real gipsy number, Where's Your Head At, opening with a wonderful harpsichord and conquering with a monumental arrangement with powerful drums, winds and a choral. The concert closes with unforgettable piano chords, a percussion inviting you to dance and sparkling winds of Samba Magic, one of the most igniting and emotional compositions in the club genius Basement Jaxx’ repertoire.

Basement Jaxx’ songs have got their new life

The idea of performing a band’s hits by an orchestra is far from new – the recordings of Led Zeppelin’s, Queen’s and other artists are well-known as well as new arrangements of legendary film scores, musicales, rock operas and many other creations. Yet one cannot but admire the originality of putting club music on classic instruments. Of course, this project is in many ways experimental, perhaps, some people are going to treat it as something unserious. It is enough to listen to Basement Jaxx vs Metropole Orkest once, however, to make sure that the performers themselves are not kidding at all. Moreover, it is not an easy task to decompose music made with computer programs and modern technologies into notes for various instruments, and the Dutch orchestra has carried it out perfectly well. As a result of the musicians’ patience and tiresome work and the arrangers’ impressive efforts we have a collection the greatest part of which can become a marvelous soundtrack for a film or an animated film. Besides, Basement Jaxx’ songs themselves have got their new life which means really a lot.