Funk legend Gil Scott-Heron has been outputting his brand of soul for upwards of 40 years. With his 2010 release I’m New Here, the 61-year-old “Grandfather of Rap” stirs the poetic soul with gravelly vocals and free-flowing instrumentation. A year has passed since the release, and now The xx’s Jamie Smith has concocted a remix of the old-school album, titledWe’re New Here.

Being a huge xx fan, I was glad to hear pieces of the band’s sound here and there in the album, whether in a 10-second guitar jam or in its sheer absence of noise. The tracks post very distinct, isolated samples that rarely get crowded or murky. Simple, fresh, and catchy; the core philosophy of The xx is inescapable in this remix. Opening the album is the title track “I’m New Here,” probably the fullest on the album. It begins unconventionally, with Scott-Heron’s croaking voice over ethereal synths, then slowly progresses into a solid beat. From there the tracks settle down, with the plinking samples of “Home,” then pick up steam with the danceable songs “Ur Soul and Mine” and “New York Is Killing Me.” Closing the album is the most versatile track, “I’ll Take Care Of You,” which ventures through chopped vocal samples, hushed guitar layers, and whirring synthesizers. We’re New Here is a hybrid in a sense, gracing the fringe of club friendly beats as well as laid-back electronic pop. Never does the album completely sway one way or the other, leaving a repertoire of amiable tracks regardless of your musical preference.

This isn’t your stereotypical remix album with explosive beats and massive dance tracks, but overall the integrity of Scott-Herons original songs still shine through while gaining Smiths unique opinion as well. The sleek reworking shown in We’re New Here is dynamic and a must-listen, especially for xx fans.

(XL Recordings, 304 Hudson Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10013)