Though we've largely shifted our focus to what lies ahead for the new year, we can't quite put 2016 behind us. We lost some of our absolute favorite artists last year, including George Michael (on Christmas Day, no less!). With a career that spanned over 30 years, his music helped shaped a generation and gave us the timeless slow jam "Careless Whisper." In tribute to the man and his music, L.A.-bred singer/songwriter JimiJames has released her take on this classic hit.
With the admission that she'll be "Forever an admirer," she introduces the song with the simple description, "A special dedication to George Michael, in celebration of his life and contribution to the artist I am today." James is quite skilled in the arena of hip-hop, alt-R&B and trap-soul. But like George Michael, she's not confined by genre labels, choosing instead to make music her way. Perhaps that's why this particular remix stands out from previous unconventional covers by Seether, Postmodern Jukebox (featuring Dave Koz) and Soulpersona. With production from her bae and Boss Academy partner Wow Jones, Jimi takes our hand and leads us to the dance floor with this club-ready flip. Her vocals are equally sultry and edgy, holding her own over a hotbed of frosty beats.
Listen to JimiJames' rendition of "Careless Whisper" below and prepare to dance again (and again and again) as this jam is available for free download. For more eclectic grooves, stop by Bandcamp for a copy of her current EP darkdayzbrightnights, a pared-down repackaging of her 2015 album DARKDAYZBRIGHTNIGHTS. After touring with Mayer Hawthorne as a background singer and working with heavy-hitters like Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé, we're eager to see what's next for the artist. Visit her website or follow her on social media to stay up to date.
