Review: Charles Petersohn - Children Of Zu Zu Remixed (Compost Records)

When 'Children of Zu Zu' was released as a 'Short Version' single and everyone in the YATM office was saying, "where's the long version?" And when the long version came out, did we need a 'remix' album; you bet we do and it's here!

Featuring Roberto Di Giola and the People of Tla'aga Samoa, producer/DJ/Singer Charles Petersohn took a massive 18 year break from Compost records (see review HERE) so less than 18 months since 'Children Of Zu Zu', the "Long Version", (see review HERE) is a mere drop in the echoes of and reality before this remix edition emerges..

In fact you get 3 different versions of the track 'Myths versus Reality' and they are all very, so VERY different.  In fact, the Greater Manchester Housing Authority A Spiritual Space Rework is the closest thing I've heard as a combination of Charity Shop Classics' Jason Cooke and Jerry Dammer's Spacial Arkestra in a space fuel reggae combo - surely such a future classic needs a dub version?  I'm onto Compost now for RSD2027 12" disco version.

Stunning and you also get the percussive also dancefloor mix and a Sun Ra dubby Vicktor Malik remix of 'Myths versus Reality' which make this album essential in itself.  But dof on't worry if 'Schmettrlinge Im Bauch' was you're favourite as it's tastefully remix as a space broken beat by Mary Olivetti - oh yeah!

And for more Afro-futurism dancefloor there's the Moodrama remix of the title track as vocal and instrumental versions.

I can't lie, I was a little suspicious on hearing of a 'Children Of Zu Zu' remix album as the original was so good but when Petersohn joins in himself with 'A Meditation On Monk' version of the title track (which is brilliant - could be Monk vs. Mingus vs. Ginger Johnson vs. Ra) you know Charles and Compost's intentions were pure; as Charles himself says, “The shared desire for the EP's tracks to embrace the idea that a remix can be a work of art in its own right has been fully realized. All the mixes have a personal touch, using the originals as raw material that has been played with to one's heart's content. I'm very happy!”. 

We're very happy too Charles!

P.S. As featured in the Colour & Pitch Sessions April Mix (see below) and if you don't know about Manchester's Charity Shop Classics (latest Gerry Hectic Listener's Choice is HERE - Show 543) and check HERE for an early history on Jerry Dammers.

BUY LINK / PRE-ORDER: Children Of Zu Zu Remixes | Charles Petersohn & https://CompostRecords.lnk.to/CharlesPetersohn-ChildrenOfZuZuEP

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - April 2026

Artist: Charles Petersohn

Title: Children Of Zu Zu Remixed

Release date: 8th May, 2026

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT669

Format:  Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Charles Petersohn - Children Of Zu Zu EP (Compost Records)

'Children of Zu Zu' featuring Roberto Di Giola and the People of Tla'aga Samoa was released as a 'Short Version' single and everyone in the YATM office was saying, "where's the long version?"

Producer/DJ/Singer Charles Petersohn told me, "I am really excited, to be released at one of my favourite Labels" and that's not surprising as you'll recall the single was his first release in 18 years (see review HERE).

So 'Children Of Zu Zu (Long Version)' at nearly 7 minutes long is even more perfect than the short versions' "echoes of Lonnie Liston Smith's 'Space Princess' on a visit to Jimi Tenor's Philophon studios with a touch of ragas going on, it's almost transglobal; but in a 'Compost Records' underground way.."

Di Giola is also featured on 'Schmettrlinge Im Bauch' that really covers the inspiration of, "Smooth deep house, different kinds of jazz and jazznotjazz, African rhythms, Brasil batucada, psychedelic funk poetry, inspired by Dr. John and most of all the space music and afrofuturist philosophy of Sun Ra and his Arkestra" and it's a springtime classic already.

With two perfect tracks, he does it again with 'Love In Space' (Part 1 ft. Jana) and 'Love In Space' (Part 2 ft. Harold Pop & Lu).  And there's an alternative version of  'Schmettrlinge Im Bauch' plus, can you believe it? 'Myth Versus Reality' actually features the Sun Ra Arkestra (couldn't have been better timed with the Marshall Allen debut album, 'New Birth' recently being released - see review HERE).

But hang on, what is Zu Zu Music?  We'll, 'Zu Zu Music' that features Mickey Nether, AdaSoul and Narjara Thamiz tells us.

This album is like the equilavent of Kahil El'Zabar's remix project of 20 years ago where he got some of the Art Ensemble of Chicago with remix/edits by Afro/Jazz/house luminaries Henrik Swartz and Osunlade to give the dancefloor touch.

This is just perfect and there's bonus digital tracks but you'll really want the vinyl. 

BUY LINK: https://CompostRecords.lnk.to/CharlesPetersohn-ChildrenOfZuZuEP

Artist: Charles Petersohn

Title: Children Of Zu Zu EP

Release date: 14th March, 2025

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT648-1/-3

Format:  Vinyl 12" / Digital / Bandcamp  

Review: Charles Petersohn - Children Of Zu Zu (Short Version) (Compost Records)

To give it the full title, 'Children of Zu Zu' featuring Roberto Di Giola and the People of Tla'aga Samoa (Short Version), it's time that folks got to know Charles Petersohn.

We know Roberto Di Gioia from his collaboration with Peter Kruder (see review HERE) and the peoples of Samoa have a huge history but this is producer/DJ/Singer Charles Petersohn's first release in 18 years!

Having absorbed, take a deep breath, "Smooth deep house, different kinds of jazz and jazznotjazz, african rhythms, Brasil batucada, psychedelic funk poetry, inspired by Dr. John and most of all the space music and afrofuturist philosophy of Sun Ra and his Arkestra" this track is true to all these influences - the only problem, this is the 'Short Version'.

With echoes of Lonnie Liston Smith's 'Space Princess' on a visit to Jimi Tenor's Philophon studios with a touch of ragas going on, it's almost transglobal; but in a 'Compost Records' underground way.

We say, bring on the 'Long Version', we'll update you as soon as he get notificaiton. 

P.S. Also featured first track on Colour & Pitch Sessions February mix

Colour and Pitch · Colour and Pitch Sessions with Sumsuch - February 2025

Artist: Charles Petersohn

Title: Children Of Zu Zu 

Release date: 28th February, 2025

Label : Compost Records

Catalog Number : CPT648-5

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp