Chopping up Mark Ronson's big band Motown soul revue into teasing slivers and filling in the holes with a sunny reggae lilt and band of UK emcees, overseas underground hip hop sensation Baby J hooks up a tasty "refix" that takes the hit cover even more miles beyond what The Zutons could have ever imagined spawning when they first released it in the Spring of '06.

Winehouse's soothing retro vocal feels even more majestic as she takes center stage in this revamp, leading the island two-step with her drunken, melodic wail. The guest rappers are expertly sprinkled throughout the affair, trying to hold back their giddiness of being on such a high-profile gig as they accent Winehouse (rather than invade her space) with their own praise of the highly in-demand Valerie ("Yo she is gorgeous/ Her style is flawless/ And she knows it cause her head's enormous"); one even hints at some awesome threesome arrangement ("Valerie/ It's been a long time/ Me and Amy is waiting for you to arrive").

Already prospering in likable indie rock, Brit-soul and reggae/ hip hop treatments, look for "Valerie" to be redone in country, heavy metal and polka versions by next summer.



DL: "Valerie (Baby J Remix)" (YFH)

Check out more from Baby J via his MySpace.