Red Hot + Dance

Like 1990’s Red Hot + Blue, which featured new takes on Cole Porter standards, Red Hot + Dance celebrates the art of reinterpretation, only this time the stars aren’t singers but dance remixers. With the exception of three new songs by George Michael, including the slinky, disco-fever-redux hit ”Too Funky,” all of RH+D‘s cuts are remixed versions of previously released tunes. Joey Negro redefines Crystal Waters’ 1991 smash, ”Gypsy Woman,” by all but stripping it of its trademark ”la dah dee” hook. Brian Eno turns EMF’s ”Unbelievable” into a cyborg cacophony of stallion bravado. And garage king Todd Terry makes Sly Stone’s ”Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin)” even funkier. All of RH+D‘s proceeds go to AIDS research, so only a true grinch would slam the album. Luckily, on the level of both charity and artistry, this crash course in beats does its job.