By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – London, The realms of legendary jazz and contemporary electronic music have converged in a significant new collaboration as the Bosnian-German producer Solomun unveils his reimagining of Nina Simone’s "Take Care of Business." Released via the prestigious Verve Records, this remix serves as the inaugural chapter in an ambitious, year-long initiative dedicated to the "High Priestess of Soul." The project aims to celebrate Simone’s enduring influence on global music culture, coinciding with a period of renewed appreciation for her catalog and the mark she left on the 20th-century sonic landscape. By tapping one of the most influential figures in modern melodic house and techno, Verve Records is signaling a bridge between the analog soul of the past and the digital pulse of the future.
Solomun, a four-time DJ Awards winner and the head of the Diynamic Music label, is no stranger to handling high-profile commissions. However, the opportunity to rework a Nina Simone original carries a unique weight. In a statement reflecting on the project, the producer emphasized the timeless nature of Simone’s artistry, noting that very few performers possess the ability to transcend their era so completely. His approach to "Take Care of Business" was reportedly driven by a desire to preserve the integrity of her vocal performance while providing a rhythmic framework that resonates with modern dance floors. The result is a sophisticated blend of Simone’s commanding, soulful delivery and Solomun’s signature atmospheric production, characterized by deep, driving grooves and a meticulous attention to emotional resonance.
This release is far from a standalone event; it marks the beginning of a curated remix series that Verve Records has scheduled to unfold over the coming months. The label has assembled a diverse roster of electronic talent to provide fresh perspectives on Simone’s work. Among the artists slated for upcoming installments are the Brazilian sensation Mochakk, the South African deep house pioneer DESIREE, and New York’s Austin Millz. The lineup is further bolstered by contributions from dublon, Supershy, and Antdot. This monthly release schedule is designed to build momentum through the autumn, ensuring that Simone’s voice remains a central fixture in the sets of DJs across the globe. By selecting artists from various geographical and stylistic backgrounds, Verve is highlighting the universal appeal of Simone’s music, which continues to find a home in genres as disparate as hip-hop, R&B, and underground techno.
The choice of "Take Care of Business" as the lead single is particularly apt. Originally recorded during a prolific period in Simone’s career, the track captures her in a moment of assertive, rhythmic confidence. For a producer like Solomun, whose style often leans into the "melodic house" subgenre, the track provides a wealth of organic textures to work with. Solomun’s production philosophy often centers on the "human" element of electronic music—finding the soul within the machine. By placing Simone’s voice at the center of a contemporary club arrangement, he reaffirms his status as a producer capable of balancing commercial appeal with underground credibility.
This latest project comes at a time when Solomun is experiencing a significant peak in his professional journey. Recently, he delivered a landmark headline performance at London’s Alexandra Palace, a venue renowned for its historic architecture and grand scale. This show was part of a deliberate effort by the artist to perform in locations that offer more than just a standard club environment. Over the past year, Solomun has sought out "prestige" venues that carry deep historical or cultural significance. These have included the Château de Chantilly in France, the ancient Roman Théâtre Antique d’Orange, and the Royal Palace of Belgium. By moving away from traditional festival stages and black-box clubs, Solomun is positioning electronic music as a high-art form capable of occupying the world’s most venerable spaces.
His ascent is also reflected in the data of the industry. Last year, Solomun achieved his highest-ever ranking in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll, a testament to his sustained relevance in an ever-shifting market. This rise is fueled not only by his touring schedule but also by a highly productive year in the studio. His recent discography includes a high-profile remix of Jamie xx’s "Waited All Night," a track that saw him rework the sounds of one of the UK’s most respected electronic innovators. Furthermore, Solomun has branched out into the world of multimedia and vocal collaborations, contributing to the soundtrack of the video game "Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves" and collaborating with the French vocalist Jain on the single "Tout le Monde." These projects demonstrate a versatility that allows him to move between the niche world of boutique electronic labels and the broader spheres of pop and gaming culture.
The Verve Records series also highlights the ongoing trend of "legacy remixing," where classic catalogs are opened up to contemporary producers to introduce legendary voices to younger generations. Nina Simone, who passed away in 2003, has seen her music sampled and remixed by everyone from Kanye West to Felix Da Housecat. Her music, which often dealt with themes of liberation, struggle, and profound love, carries a gravity that few modern pop songs can match. For the electronic music community, her vocals offer a depth of character that can ground a dance track, transforming a simple club tool into a piece of art with narrative weight.
As the series progresses through the autumn, the industry will be watching to see how the other invited artists interpret Simone’s work. The inclusion of Mochakk suggests a move toward the high-energy, "tech-house" sound that has dominated recent festival circuits, while DESIREE is expected to bring a more soulful, Afro-house-inflected touch to the series. This diversity ensures that the tribute remains multifaceted, mirroring the complexity of Simone herself.
For Verve Records, this initiative is a celebration of a catalog that remains one of the jewels of the jazz world. Founded in 1956 by Norman Granz, Verve has been the home to giants like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong. By engaging with the electronic music community, the label is ensuring that its heritage remains active and profitable in the streaming era. Remixes serve as a powerful gateway, leading younger listeners to explore the original albums and, by extension, the history of the artists who shaped the foundations of modern music.
Solomun’s "Take Care of Business" is now available across all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. As the first piece of the puzzle, it sets a high bar for the months to follow. The track manages to be both a functional tool for DJs and a respectful homage to a woman whose voice defined an era. As Solomun continues his global tour and his exploration of historic performance spaces, this collaboration stands as a reminder of his ability to connect different worlds—the old and the new, the acoustic and the electronic, the palace and the dance floor.
The upcoming months will likely see these remixes becoming staples in summer festival sets from Ibiza to Berlin. As the electronic music world continues to evolve, the integration of timeless soul and jazz elements remains a potent way to maintain emotional depth in a genre often criticized for its clinical precision. Through this series, Nina Simone’s "business" is being taken care of by a new generation of stewards, ensuring that her message and her melody continue to resonate long after the final beat drops.