Let’s set the time machine back 20 years to 2002. New York’s Ursula 1000 (AKA Alex Gimeno), DJ/producer/multi-instrumentalist, started working on his sophomore album after the success of his debut, The Now Sound of Ursula 1000. His steady diet of ’90s lounge revivalism, UK big beat, German club pop, European library music, spy soundtracks, and Japanese Shibuya-Kei sharpened his skills in producing his own take on this melting pot of retro grooves and futuristic electronic beats.
This vision would be more fully realized for this new album. Ursula 1000 had an idea of a travelogue collection of songs, every track like a new stamp on a passport. For the opener, he originally had iconic model Verushka in mind for vocals. Locking her in became elusive and so he had a re-think. Swinging ’60s London. Groovy mod scenery. He needed a fun voice for this. Enter Rebecca Mader, who at the time was an up-and-coming model and actress, later to star in the hit series Lost and Once Upon a Time. A mutual friend connected them and she nailed the perfect cheeky, sex kitten delivery!
Inspired by the 1966 film Lord Love a Duck, featuring Tuesday Weld — where her character goes sweater shopping and runs through a laundry list of exotic color schemes — we riffed on that idea and made it our own kaleidoscopic palette. This song had it all: sitars, Hammond organ (performed beautifully by Brother Cleve of neo-lounge act Combustible Edison), big beat drums, and some acid house tweaks to make it into a nice retro/future cocktail.
Originally released on Thievery Corporation’s 18th Street Lounge label and now on Ursula 1000’s own Insect Queen Music imprint, this song would be called “Kinda Kinky” — as would the album on which it was featured. Ursula 1000 was able to score world-renowned contemporary artist Shag to design the cover in his distinctive space-age bachelor pad style.
For the 20th anniversary of the release of "Kinda Kinky," Ursula 1000 decided to revisit this classic cut and give it a re-rinse, adding some tasty flavors of today but keeping its original kitschy vibe. For the flip, we have the one and only breakbeat legend A.Skillz transforming “Kinda’ Kinky” into a funky, disco house groove monster. An unadulterated sonic delight!
Steve / Fort Knox Five (Fort Knox Recordings) – “Congrats on the anniversary! Seems like just yesterday when we were just foolish young DJs making the scene. Love the repackage and updated mix and the A.Skillz remix is a surprise bonus. Top notch today like it was top notch back in the day! Need this 45 for the collection to be complete.”
Soul of Man (Finger Lickin’ Records) – “Great release and A.Skillz puts a rocket up it too!”
Tal M. Klein (Aniligital Music) – “A great remix of one of my favorite Ursula 1000 staples. I like the A.Skillz sendup as well!”
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music Radio Show) – “I like the new mixes of this big classic.”
Bruno From Ibiza (Ibiza Global Radio) – “Ursula’s remix is amazing.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “100% smiles guaranteed - sometimes it’s easy to forget dance music should be fun - outstanding remix and with the dubs you are really just spoiling us.”
Available Now From: Bandcamp, Juno Download, Apple Music, And Spotify.
Also available from: Juno Records on 7” Vinyl.