Kicked off with a Truth and Soul remix of Dinah Washington’s “Cry Me A River” that echoes like liquid smoke in a hot lounge, the latest Verve Remixed compilation doesn’t mess around.

Like the three volumes before it — all crammed with delicious remixes of sweet, sweet old soul, funk and motown loves — Verve Remixed 4 puts living legends like Antibalas, 9th Wonder, Cinematic Orchestra and Diplo into the studio with larger-than-life legends like Anita O’Day, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown and — because no Verve would be complete without it — the High Priestess of Soul herself, Nina Simone.

The series as a whole, re-released as a four volume box set also this week, is one of my favorite examples of remix magic. In these tracks, remix is not the shoddy production trick it’s become, but finds again it’s power to transcend; the voices that cooed and screamed sonic life into this American century’s social movements go hoarse again, brought to bear through remix on the ills we still live with and the fights that don’t stop.

As the Priestess sings, “I can’t stand it no more, so why don’t you give me some”; check out Dinah’s Truth and Soul here.

txt_Shawn James // ph_Rahan Cotterel

Johnny is vandalizing mainstream’s perception of street with punk inspired threads as virbrant as his demeanor suggests — all while etching his permanent mark on New York City’s coveted downtown sect. Here, he chops it up with Stylistics on everything from the bourgeoning British scene to the untouchable hotness of Paris.

Name: Johnny King
Better Known As: Je Suis Le Kille
Age: 21
Occupation: ex-battleship salesman and lady killer, and sales associate at Blue In Green

Born: November 26, 1986
Based: New York

Favorite brands: Raf Simons, Kris van Assche, Lanvin, Common Projects, Somet, Low Hurtz, Hood By Air (I have the chain).

Style is…
What defines your personality outside and inside. People try too hard to look good; a good style of dress can be a t-shirt jeans and sneakers, but it’s just how you present yourself.

You recently returned from a trip to London. How does the streetwear scene differ from that in New York City?
Well, London has a cool style; they know to dress. I also went to Paris and Amsterdam and Parisians’ are hot so their style will never compare to New York, but as for London you can see the similarities in style, but they’re are better clothes out there so you can always look good.

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