By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – New York, the intersection of historical jazz and contemporary electronic music has found a new, profound expression through the latest release from Verve Records. In a bold move that bridges generations and continents, South African producer and DJ DESIREE has unveiled her official remix of Nina Simone’s legendary 1966 composition, "Four Women." This release marks a significant milestone in an ambitious, year-long initiative by Verve Records to reintroduce Simone’s catalog to modern audiences through the lens of today’s most influential electronic artists.
The project, which is scheduled to unfold with monthly releases throughout 2026, seeks to honor the "High Priestess of Soul" by allowing her timeless vocals to inhabit new sonic environments. DESIREE’s contribution follows the series’ inaugural release, a rework of "Take Care Of Business" by the Bosnian-German melodic house titan Solomun. While Solomun’s entry brought a driving, club-ready energy to Simone’s work, DESIREE’s interpretation of "Four Women" leans into the atmospheric and the introspective, utilizing the "slick deep house grooves" that have become her signature.
To understand the weight of this remix, one must first revisit the gravity of the original recording. "Four Women" is not merely a song; it is a monumental piece of social commentary that explores the multifaceted identities and traumas of Black women in America. Released on the album Wild Is the Wind, the track outlines four distinct archetypes: Aunt Sarah, representing the resilience and suffering of slavery; Saffronia, the product of a forced interracial encounter; Sweet Thing, who finds survival through the commodification of her body; and Peaches, the embittered, militant figure whose anger is a response to generations of oppression. At the time of its release, the song was so potent and controversial that it was banned by several radio stations, yet it remains one of the most vital entries in the Great American Songbook.
Approaching such a hallowed piece of music requires a delicate balance of reverence and creative courage. DESIREE, whose rise in the global house scene has been characterized by her thoughtful curation and technical precision, expressed a deep personal connection to the source material. "There are songs that already say everything. ‘Four Women’ is one of them," the producer remarked. She noted that as she delved deeper into Nina Simone’s discography and personal history, she felt the lyrics speaking directly to her own experiences and the broader contemporary climate.
The challenge for any remixer is to add a new layer of accessibility without stripping away the emotional core of the original. DESIREE addressed this by maintaining the prominence of Simone’s haunting vocal delivery while grounding it in a sophisticated, rhythmic framework. "When I came to make this remix, I didn’t want to change what it meant," DESIREE explained. "I just wanted to bring it somewhere new, somewhere you could move to it, lose yourself in it, and still feel every word."
The result is a track that functions effectively in two worlds. In the context of a high-end lounge or a sunrise set at a festival, the deep house elements—characterized by warm basslines and ethereal pads—provide a hypnotic movement. However, for the listener paying close attention, the clarity of the vocal arrangement ensures that the narrative of Aunt Sarah, Saffronia, Sweet Thing, and Peaches remains the focal point. It is a testament to DESIREE’s skill that she can transform a song about systemic pain into a piece of music that feels both cathartic and danceable.
DESIREE’s selection for this project is no coincidence. Her trajectory over the last several years has been nothing short of meteoric. In 2024, she was featured as the cover star for DJ Mag North America, an honor that highlighted her backstory and her rapid ascension within the international house community. Hailing from South Africa—a global powerhouse for electronic music—DESIREE has been a pivotal figure in exporting the "African Techno" sound, a blend of soul-heavy house and tech-leaning rhythms. Her accolades include being named DJ Mag’s "Future Star" in the 2023 Top 100 DJs poll, a title that signaled her transition from a rising talent to an established global force.
Her involvement in the Nina Simone remix series also underscores the growing influence of South African artists on the legacy of American jazz and soul. The South African house scene has long drawn inspiration from the jazz greats, and DESIREE’s ability to weave those influences into a modern tapestry makes her the ideal candidate for a Verve Records collaboration. Verve, a label founded by Norman Granz in 1956, has always been a home for pioneers, representing legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and, of course, Nina Simone. By inviting contemporary producers like DESIREE and Solomun into their vaults, the label is ensuring that these foundational voices remain relevant in the digital age.
The 2026 remix series serves as a continuation of Verve’s "Verve Remixed" legacy, which began in the early 2000s and helped define the "chillout" and "nu-jazz" genres. However, this new iteration feels more focused on the individual artistry of the remixers, allowing them to take greater risks with the arrangements. By dedicating an entire year to Nina Simone, Verve is acknowledging her unique status not just as a musician, but as a cultural icon whose message of liberation and identity continues to resonate.
As the second installment in this twelve-part journey, DESIREE’s "Four Women" sets a high bar for the months to come. It demonstrates that electronic music, often dismissed as purely functional for the dancefloor, possesses the depth to handle complex social themes. The remix invites a younger generation of listeners—many of whom may be discovering Simone for the first time through DESIREE’s sets—to explore the history and the activism behind the voice.
In the broader context of the music industry, this release also highlights the importance of curation. In an era of infinite streaming options, projects like the Verve remix series provide a curated bridge between the past and the present. It allows the "High Priestess of Soul" to speak to a new demographic, ensuring that her stories of struggle and triumph are heard in the clubs of Ibiza, the warehouses of Berlin, and the festivals of Johannesburg.
For DESIREE, this project is a crowning achievement in a career that shows no signs of slowing down. From her early days honing her craft to her current status as a global ambassador for house music, she has remained committed to a sound that is as intellectually stimulating as it is rhythmically engaging. Her work on "Four Women" is more than just a remix; it is a conversation between two powerful women across time, united by the transformative power of music.
As audiences look forward to the remaining ten installments of the 2026 series, the anticipation continues to build. If the contributions from Solomun and DESIREE are any indication, the project will serve as a comprehensive exploration of how Nina Simone’s voice can be reimagined for the 21st century without losing a shred of its original soul. For now, listeners can immerse themselves in DESIREE’s vision of "Four Women," a track that honors the past while firmly planting its feet in the future of electronic music.