Twin-sister act
Nina Sky broke out with "Move Ya Body," based on
Cordell "Scatta" Burrell's "Coolie Dance" rhythm. With its pattering bongos and synthetic handclaps, the backing track resembles a hopped-up version of
Vanity 6's "Nasty Girl," and has spawned one release in the Greensleeves label's
Rhythm Album series, in which a number of artists provide their own vocals over the same instrumental. (Prior to
Nina Sky's own success with the track, the American audience might've recognized it from the remixed version of
Elephant Man's "Jook Gal" that was nearly unavoidable on the video channels.) "Move Ya Body" also comes across like a slightly grown-up (if not as coyly charming) successor to
Lumidee's "Diwali"-assisted "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)," another infectious summer jam.
Nina Sky thankfully isn't the obvious rush job that was
Lumidee's own full-length debut, fleshed out by a set of remarkable productions from the Jettsonz, Cipha Sounds, and
Disco D. The likes of "Let It Go" and "Runaway" (the latter featuring a keen vocal swipe from
Central Line's "Walking into Sunshine") may not have the instant appeal of "Move Ya Body," but these uptempo tracks send the album clear past "one single, little more" status. ~ Andy Kellman