The Versions

by Neneh Cherry

Overview

A project sparked during the making of the 30th anniversary edition of Raw Like Sushi, The Versions is neither a set of versions in the reggae sense nor a typical tribute album. Neneh Cherry invited women artists she admires to choose a song off either Raw Like Sushi, Homebrew, or Man -- her first three albums (1989-1996) -- and asked only Anohni to take a specific song, seeing her perfectly suited for "Woman." Cherry treats the album as a proper addition to her own discography and places the contributors' images on the sleeve, affirming that The Versions is a two-way tribute dear to her. It throws into relief Cherry's individuality as a songwriter. No matter the age of the material, her unique personal and narrative perspectives -- image-rich character studies and scenes of interpersonal conflict, sharp critiques of male behavior, and the odd silly love song -- apply to the present. The Versions rarely fails to fascinate. Anohni duly turns Man tone-setter "Woman" from burning widescreen soul into a stark, serrated piano ballad with a little more drama and defiance. Greentea Peng's "Buddy X" offers more with its slightly bleary two-step overhaul. Robyn and Mapei, aided by production from Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange), stretch out and have fun with "Buffalo Stance," despite halving the energy level. "Manchild" gets multiple looks, cleverly in the second and second-to-last positions in the sequence: Sia's is one of the album's most faithful covers, while Kelsey Lu's version transitions from spectral to scorched, playing out like it's as much a nod to Mezzanine-era Massive Attack (whose 3D co-wrote the song with Cherry and partner Cameron McVey). Cherry's daughter Tyson and Sudan Archives deliver two of the highlights with personalized takes on deeper cuts. Tyson slides into "Sassy" like it's a favorite pair of slippers and goes for a stroll with her head held high, filling the roles of her mother and featured rapper Guru with casual elan. Violinist and singer Sudan Archives' "Heart" twists and cuts with such individuality that even those who have worn-out copies of Raw Like Sushi might not realize that it's a cover until that skipping-song rhyme near the end. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	06/17/2022
Label:	Emi
UPC:	0602445460731

Tracks

1. Buffalo Stance  -  Mapei  -  Robyn
2. Manchild  -  Sia
3. Woman  -  Anohni
4. Buddy X  -  Greentea Peng
5. Kootchi  - Jamilia Woods
6. Sassy  -  Tyson
7. Hearts  -  Sudan Archives
8. Kisses on the Wind  - Seinabo Sey
9. Manchild  - Kelsey Lu
10. Buddy X Rework  - Honey Dijon

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Neneh Cherry   Primary Artist,Vocals
Mapei   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Tyson   Primary Artist,Vocals
Greentea Peng   Primary Artist,Vocals
Honey Dijon   Primary Artist
Seinabo Sey   Primary Artist,Vocals
Jamila Woods   Primary Artist,Vocals
Anohni   Primary Artist,Vocals
Sudan Archives   Primary Artist,Violin,Vocals
Jamilia Woods   Primary Artist
Robyn   Primary Artist,Vocals,Synthesizer
Sia   Primary Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Kelsey Lu   Primary Artist,Vocals
Justin Canavan   Guitar
Qur'an Shaheed   Piano
Sarah Tandy   Keyboards
Femi Koleoso   Drums
Jordan Hadfield   Bass,Guitar

Technical Credits

Thomas Bartlett   Producer,Mixing
Cameron McVey   Composer
Steve Grippa Hopwood   Composer
Devonte Hynes   Producer
Joe LaPorta   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Matthew Styles   Mastering
Jesse Shatkin   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Matt Hennessey   Mixing,Mastering Engineer
Chris Martin   Composer
Ty Caughell   Mixing Assistant
Carina Soro   Composer
Earbuds   Engineer,Producer
Phil Ramacon   Composer
Rick Fritz   Engineer
Mikaelin 'Blue' BlueSpruce   Mixing
Phil Ramocon   Composer
Booga Bear   Producer
Matt Hennessy   Mixing,Mastering
Katrese Barnes   Composer
Jon La Porta   Mastering Engineer
Thomas Barlett   Mixing,Producer
Michel Zitron   Engineer,Vocal Producer
Honey Dijon   Remixing,Remix Engineer,Additional Production
Slot-A   Producer
Ludvig Larsson   Engineer
Jamie Morgan   Composer
Patrick Wimberly   Engineer
Paul Gorman   Composer
Jonathan Sharp   Composer
Tom Carmichael   Mixing
Hugh Fothergill   Assistant Engineer
Riccardo Damian   Engineer
Kelsey Lu   Producer
Anohni   Mixing,Producer
Sudan Archives   Engineer,Producer,Programming
Samuel Dent   Assistant Engineer
Femi Koleoso   Producer
Academics   Engineer,Producer
Kiukl Adelbai   Engineer
Keith Elam   Composer
Duke Jordan   Composer
John Barnes   Composer
Jonny Dollar   Producer
Robert del Naja   Composer
Robyn   Vocal Producer,Synthesizer Programming
Katreese Barnes   Composer
Jerry Barnes   Composer
Neneh Cherry   Composer,Producer,Programming