Could it be?
In November of 2005, Britney Spears released B In The Mix: The Remixes, an 11-track album that included remixes of songs spanning her entire career to date, along with the previously unreleased track, “And Then We Kiss (Junkie XL Remix)”–a track that immediately became (arguably) my favorite song she’s ever done.
The track was co-penned by Spears and songwriters Paul Barry and Mark Taylor, both of whom are responsible for Cher‘s “Believe” and Enrique Iglesias‘ “Hero” and “Bailamos” (among other massive worldwide smashes).
Although some assumed earlier on that the Junkie XL mix was actually just the original version of the song, further evidence–including the original’s brief listing on the soundtrack for Britney’s mini-documentary TV series Britney & Kevin: Chaotic (which was later removed from the final tracklisting) and an interview with Junkie XL for About.com–confirms that an original version exists.
From the interview:
RS: When I hear Junkie XL I think of progressive dance productions and remixes. So when I heard that you remixed Britney Spears, that was such a surprise. When they approached you for the remix, what was in your head?
Junkie XL: What I wanted to do was turn it into a 2006 version of Enjoy the Silence with really electronic chunky beats and nice melodic guitar lines. Besides the fact that she’s singing on it, it could be a track off my album because it’s the same vibe. I’m really happy with the end result and so are they.
Fast forward to September 1, 2011, when a track mysteriously surfaces online: “And Then We Kiss (Original Version).”
But is it real?
The production of this new (well, technically old) mix is utterly incredible: Along with its gorgeously sensual, Ray Of Light-esque electronica undercurrent and flamenco-tinged guitar, the lead vocals on this new mix are much more prominent in certain parts of the song than we’ve ever heard before. There even seem to be some new background vocals (2:24) thrown in the mix, as well as a haunting new stretched-out vocal finish in the last 30 seconds.
Since an acapella version of the song has never actually leaked (yet), it’d be an incredibly impressive feat if this wound up being a fake: Either this is the work of an impossibly good producer-to-be (unlikely) or we’ve just–at long last–stumbled upon the long lost original version of “And Then We Kiss.”
Absolutely incredible.
UPDATE (Sept. 5): The answer has arrived! I got in touch with “And Then We Kiss” songwriter Mark Taylor over the weekend about the original version of the song, who Excluusively confirmed to MuuMuse that this newly leaked mix is in fact the real deal:
Dear Brad,
I confirm the version on your website is my original production and mix from the same sessions as Breathe On Me. And I’m glad you like it and that it still feels fresh after so long! I am pleased it might finally see the light of day! Keep up the good work! Best, Mark Taylor
AMAZING!
“And Then We Kiss (Junkie XL Remix)” was released in 2005. (iTunes)
