#jean 1

Wanda was trying not to listen to the thoughts around her. So much pain and so much fear -- though not the irrational, overwhelming tidal wave of panic the Enchantress had produced. It was more focused, and truthfully, more reasonable. The Sentinels were not just a threat. To Mutants, they were an old scar ripped open, salt poured into the wound. Wanda had hoped that in this safehouse, she might be able to provide some comfort, but what she was overhearing -- the implications of it, the emotions, the thing she could not bring herself to mention... It was too much. Jean’s thoughts cut through everything else, and Wanda glanced up meeting her eyes across the room. ‘Why?’ she replied, sending her thoughts directly to Jean. It took more focus than anyone might realize. ‘If there is anyone in the middle of this, it’s me. I have a foot in both worlds -- mutant and non-mutant. But where does that leave me, when the time comes?’ She longed for the simplicity of Jean’s wedding, that peace and happiness felt so far away now. 

Carol’s communicator was the only thing she was grateful to have from her time with the Kree. (Okay, the suit was pretty wicked too.) It came in handy, especially on C-53, where it was still miles ahead of the tech they had out here. She sat on the rooftop ledge of the hospital, kicking her feet in the air while she used the communicator to page a certain doctor. 

She grinned when she heard the door open behind her. “Admit it,” she said. “You were a little confused when the page said ‘Come To The Roof.’ All mysterious like, right?” She grinned at Jean. “I’m back in town for a while. Figured I’d stop in and say hi. See how those registration papers are coming and all.”

I would be lying if I said that remixes and the like were totally "my kind of thing", but when I read about a band offering a remixing of The Supremes I couldn't help but have a listen at least to satisfy my curiosity. What I heard made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up (no joke). Whilst my reaction may have been borderline cliché, White Label are anything but.

Originally from Scotland; White label are a trio now based in London and Berlin. Their album "Stolen Voices" was formed after countless back-and-forth transfers of the work-in-progress files between the UK and Germany via Skype. After which the results were mixed by Andy Jackson (currently overseeing the forthcoming Pink Floyd reissues).

"Jean 1" is the first song on their album "Stolen Voices", and also the cause of said clichéd reaction. It is a Northern Soul reworking of "5:30 Plane" by The Supremes, sung by Jean Terrell. The vocals are great and feel both grainy and hallowed, which makes vinyl what it is, and yet at the same time are clear enough that none of the amazing vocal quality that The Supremes possessed is lost. Weaved in as well are modern touches, such as stuttering Terrell's voice in parts that remind you whose talent is being showcased.

The rest of the album is a veritable highlight reel of influential artists, taking in the likes of The Beach Boys and David Bowie, each beautifully mixed and arranged. A personal favourite has to be The Beatles track "John 1". Originally titled "Child Of Nature" on the 1968 Esher Beatles demos for "The White Album", it has a touch of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound Of Silence" to it. It feels dreamy, and as with the Supremes track has a rich, full sound that truly encapsulates the spirit of the band.

Both tracks mentioned are streamed free below, as is a link to where you can buy their album - which is well worth the money!

Connect with White Label – Website | Soundcloud

White Label - ''Jean 1'' White Label - ''John 1''