Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

This idea is so cool I can barely get my head around it. Toyota, to promote its Scion automobiles, has been releasing CD samplers of some fabulous, outside of the mainstream music. The latest of these is an ambitious two CD set entitled Daptone Records Remixed. Daptone is an old, old skool label dedicated to southern soul done up 1960s style. One CD. “Originals,” is a straight sampler of Daptone’s catalogue, while the other, “Remixes,” (funny how that works out, isn’t it?) is a remix of the same tracks. The result is so good it will bring you to your knees.

The timing of this release is fortuitous. Daptone’s best known artist at this point is Shirley Jones and The Dap-Kings, and Jones’ appearance in The Great Debaters movie and soundtrack has raised the band’s profile enormously. Deservedly so; it‘s impossible to listen to Keep On Looking and sit still, while Stranded In Your Love is the ultimate beggin’ song, one which actually lets the listener in on the results of the begging. Jones and the Dap-Kings are arguably first among equals on here, however, based on what else is found on “Originals.” Take It As It Come is an extended jam from Sugarman Three & Co., an extended slab of funk in the best spirit of James Brown, while The Budos Band’s T.I.B.W.F. features a fiery, if too short, trumpet solo reminiscent of Hugh Masekela’s early, more accessible work. And The Daktaris bridge the gap between African music and contemporary American pop with the percussive-driven Eltsuhg Ibal Lasiti which plays off a horn riff reminiscent of Vehicle by the Ides of March. Great music, from beginning to end.

Given the embarrassment of riches on “Originals,” one would almost presume that the “Remixes” CD is superfluous, and it is. A fine bit of lagniappe, the best tracks on “Remixes” are those such as Eltsuhg Ibal Lasiti, T.I.B.W.F., and Jones’ How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?, which feature a classic dub treatment. For aficionados of real classic soul music, however, “Originals” will provide you with plenty of reasons to increase your music collection. Recommended.