Return of the Mack

1) Simply Red – Big Love

Smooth, soulful; everything Simply Red does best. Beautiful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGYMZWs9wPs

2) Simply Red – Love Wonders

Love the slightly dark, night-time tone of this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK7HCNAGHHI

3) Mark Morrison – Return of Mack

Without a doubt one of the best pop/R&B tracks of the 90’s. Funky and catchy as hell.

4) Joni Mitchell – How Do You Stop

Stunning cover that completely surpasses the original. Aided by Seal on backing vocals, this is a stunning interpretation. Joni and Seal’s voices blend beautifully together.

5) The Japanese House – Still

I love the debut EP by The Japanese House and this is one of its highlights. Produced by Matt Healy and George Daniel from The 1975, it’s a stunning piece of electro-pop full of dramatic drum breaks, layered vocals and squeaky synthesisers. Beautiful.

6) Joni Mitchell – Help Me

Love Joni Mitchell and I am slowly getting through listening to most of her discography. I absolutely love this! So uplifting, so jazzy and soulful. It’s reminiscent of cycling through the countryside on a summer’s day.

7) Jamie XX – Loud Places

Keep hearing this on the radio and it always manages to grab my attention. The distorted vocals on the chorus and the stamping beats all contribute to how endearing it is.

8) Rixton – Where are u now

Prior to hearing this on radio, I hadn’t bothered checking out the original. This absolutely blew me away and made me actually sit up and listen to Rixton properly for the first time. Harmonies are on point, the jazzy piano interpretation and eerie guitar screams are stunning. Jake Roche’s lead vocal is also fantastic. I ended up checking out the original after this and this is definitely the superior version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJnMqeJrD5Y

9) Justin Timberlake – Cry Me A River

Throwback to 2002! What a tune.