“Virgencita,” Celia Cruz‘s 1985 duet with Fania Records bandleader Johnny Pacheco, has been flipped into a soothing and soulful tropical bass groove by rising Dominican producer Happy Colors. The track appears on Fania’s forthcoming Calentura presents Global Bassment collection, which features the likes of Major Lazer’s Jillioniare, moombahton pioneer DJ Sabo, and cumbia-loving tunesmith Uproot Andy. Thirty years after its release, the piano and horn loops remain graceful alongside Cruz’s iconic vocals. A bassline chops and screws the original’s rhythm and melody with equal measure. The track also bears twerk-ready handclaps and soaring synths, but they don’t distract from the delightful production and muddle the track or lead it into banger territory. Walking the tightrope between relaxation and high energy, Happy Colors reveals a new trick up his sleeve on this winning production.
Calentura presents Global Bassment drops March 11 via Fania Records.