I have heard a couple of tracks that use samples of Nina Simone that are pretty good that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet. The Air track on the Super Discount compilation (I have the 10" with an etienne de crecy track on the other side) which is really lush, but which the BBC decided to play to death in an advert for themselves :( and there's a Thomas Brinkmann track on the Row cd that also samples Nina. Neither tune is a cover or anything, but I think they are both worth checking out and use the samples with a degree of sincerity. matt :)
