When an Ase Manual Bandcamp email arrives in my inbox, I have no idea what to expect. Of course, the New Jersey-based producer has his share of jersey club type hits, but he's so much more than that. His Bandcamp store has an incredible range on the music front, and even more, in the merch department (shower curtains/area rugs/cassette tapes/various clothes). Putting his prolific nature aside, Manual's genius has gripped me today with a tremendous take on Tracy Chapman's "For You."
Now you might not think the acoustic guitar of the "Fast Car" icon would be rife for remixing, but Ase Manual can flip just about anything. Allowing Chapman's guitar line to set the scene, Manual quickly puts his spin on "For You" by adding a bustling breakbeat. Maintaining the plain and simple power of the original with cool and calm, albeit upbeat, instrumentation, Manual gives the track a new heartbeat while keeping Chapman's soul. This is especially clear in his use of Chapman's iconic vocals as Manual chops them to perfection, leaning on their lush lilts and wicked warbles. And it is with those chops that "No Words" becomes brilliant. They work wonders with both the bounciness of the jersey section and the catchiness of the guitar melody. Despite bringing in his own pieces, Ase Manual successfully places each piece into the puzzle that is "For You," now renamed and reframed as "No Words." It's a new picture, the same subject, just a different angle. Get it free via Bandcamp and follow his socials below.