Oh...and another one.

Jamie xx in his natural environment (Copyright XL Recordings)

Jamie xx is Jamie Smith. He's also one quarter of London's Mercury Prize-winning band The xx. Jamie is probably the member of the band that you'd be least likely to recognise. And with his dark curly locks, big hoods and slightly boring name, he's also the easiest member of The xx to overlook. You'd be surprised then to learn that Jamie Smith mixed The xx's 'universally acclaimed' album almost single-handedly.

After legendary spoken-word performer Gil Scott-Heron released his first album in 16 years, I'm New Here, on independent label XL Recordings in February 2010, the question of who (of XL’s numerous other artists) would be chosen to remix the album arose. The album had attracted

substantial critical acclaim with The Guardian newspaper's Jude Rogers declaring it one of the next decade's best records. 

Well, the album's remix, We're New Here, has now been released, featuring reworking of material from the original album by- guess who- Jamie xx. It has been extremely well-received by music critics. This is unsurprising considering the startling originality of the album.

Jamie's album cover shows he's quarter of The xx

NY Is Killing Me showcases Smith's exceptional talents perfectly. Scott-Heron's vocals form a unique blend with Smith xx-influenced dubstep. The concept is remarkably simple but is pulled off with devastating effect. If you listen to this sober, you will feel like a criminal.

However, it is not Smith's work with Scott-Heron that has impressed me most. His sparse remixes are seized upon with frothing mouths by those lucky enough to have discovered him already. An indication of Smith's remixing ability came with his remix of The xx's song Basic Space. This led to him recording several further remixes. The standout of these is the his remix of Glasser's song Tremel. This is closely followed by an interesting remix of Adele's recent hit Rolling in the Deep and a fantastic remix of Jack Penate's song Pull my Heart Away. 

Jamie xx's music is atmospheric, dreamy, bass-filled,  inventive and completely and utterly undefinable.