Plug Research
Mia Doi Todd : La Ninja: Amor and other dreams of Manzanita (US,2006)****'
When Woolfeman and I heard Mia Doi Todd's voice we were both reminded of Shelagh McDonald. After hearing some audio samples on the internet before and having read some reviews, I was also attracted by the arrangements on this album, called remixes, but more like a cooperation with other groups from the electronic folk and pop area, and with the addition of four new songs, of which three are entirely acoustic. I am especially moved first of all by the song “Amor”, which has an exotic flavour to it, done by Adventure Time, in a way it suits and strengthen the emotional qualities of the song. Another incredible song I think is “My Room is White” which is listed three times in very varied versions (starting with a fine version by Dungen). For me, it is especially with the Reminder remix that the powerful statement really comes to the fore: “are we going to give up, are we going to die, or are we going to learn what life is ?”. The third version by Flying Lotus, which comes immediately after the second, and which is more instrumental might be slightly disappointing just the moment after the words grabbed you completely, but on another level, musically it still fits pretty well with the album. “Deep at Sea” is another favourite, remixed by Dntel. It received some sad but dynamic electronics.
The remixers I know and appreciated before are the works from Dungen and Dntel. I haven’t heard yet from Nobody, Ammoncontact, Campanella, Reminder, Flying Lotus and Chessie. Also included is a fine version of Beatles “Norwegian Wood”, arranged with band (including instruments like mellotron, trumpet,..). From the new songs I like “Kokoro” best, a plain simple and effective song, only with acoustic guitar. A much recommended release, making me curious to hear more of the singer’s work.
