Customer Reviews

Remixes 1997-2000

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The last decade has seen an explosion of downtempo electronica, and with exceptions, two schools seem to have emerged. One (i.e. Massive Attack, Portishead, Hooverphonic, Tricky) derives its sounds from Bristol, and the soulful dub/hip-hop/soul hybrid found in Britain's melting pot. The other (i.e. K&D, Trüby Trio, Beanfield, Tosca, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Fauna Flash, et al.) is truly more jazz-based and seems to emanate from southern Germany and Austria. Jazzanova is of the latter. This German DJ collective performs actively (every Thursday night at WMF Club in Berlin), and are also quite prolific as remixers. For that reason, this collection needed to be made.

For the beathead massive, it's an essential release. Jazzanova's bossa-influenced jazzscapes transcend the listener, leaving you either relaxed, or on the floor sweating out a furious samba. I can't really call it jazz. It's a fusion of bossa, drum & bass and jazz, with a distinctive Euro twist on it. And the artists? 4Hero, Ian Pooley, Truby Trio...it reads like a who's who list of the whole beathead/jazz scene.

The newcomer will cite the lack of sonic variety when critiquing this release. A solid argument; the remixes don't venture into uncharted waters, sticking to the tried and true Jazzanova formula.

For the unitiated, it's a good place to begin. For those who know - why don't you have this already?

Jazzanova are a Berlin based group of musician/DJ's who formed back in the heady "electronica" days of 1995. Their strength lies in their use of beat heavy Jazz structures to reshape many of these tracks into silky smooth compositions. If the over used IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) tag was ever more appropriate then people should use this double CD as a template. This is a great collection of tracks for anyone who likes the the jazzy late nite music coming from the smokey chill-out rooms tucked way in the back of many dance clubs around the world.

The overwhelming majority of remix albums consist of generic reinterpretations of familiar tunes set to lazy beats and uninspired rhythms. An exception, however, is this remix album from Jazzanova, which compiles the band's greatest work on two discs. The grooves, always rich and multilayred, offer a careful balance of jazz, Latin influences, and a touch of electro beats so as not to scare away even the most conservative jazz gurus. Among the better numbers are Incognito's "Get Into My Groove" and MJ Cole's "Sincere." Whether you want a disc to spice things up at a weekend dinner party or music to relax to on a Sunday afternoon, you'll be pleased with this excellent double-disc set.

I don't like rap-beats, i don't like 4/4 housebeats, i don't like dumb sampling (-Fugees have set a trend).., i don't like stupid loops! * * AND THEN THERE WAS JAZZANOVA! * * Combining technique with musical feeling. It's above the other loungy stuff, it's jazzy (worth that name more than other dance-music); it's not sleepy like most 'jazzdance' stuff. A fantastic album! Up to 1100 samples per song?! Love them or hate them. * * Hopefully their career will continue with music as good as this!!

Let me start by stating I'm a huge fan of Jazzanova's live dj mixes (like Circles, Off Limits 1 & 2, Sound of the City-Berlin etc). And most of their original work is pretty awesome too (the Jazzanova EP must be one of the most influential dance releases of the decade!).
However, I could not call the material contained in this 2-CD boxset as essential (let alone ground-breaking). The style has been perfectly described by other reviewers. Most of the latest remixing work from Jazzanova are variations around the same central idea, albeit of unmistakable production quality. This might be overall the case with the whole downtempo/lounge buzz of the last two years--which I suspect hasn't reached its peak yet, as it seems to be a first-class moneymaker which bases its success on the 'no surprises' surprise. The 'nu-skool music' scene however, along with its sister-subgenres (nu-jazz, broken beat, funky house etc) has a lot more to offer. As always, the really important stuff come in small 'bottles'. For example, the Berlin-based label Sonar Kollektiv, of which Jazzanova are part, has released some great EPs recently, very far from their well-known lines of production.
The guys behind Jazzanova know their thing very well (take a listen for example to a couple of 70s european jazz compilations they let out on Compost). Remixing is (usually) a good way of making more money. I expect much better output from their forthcoming long player.

What's there to say about Jazzanova? The Nu-Jazz & broken beat gurus out of Germany, that feature in their own wing of Compost Records titled Jazzanova-Compost - let alone Sonar Kollektiv, and they are some of the most influential musicians in, well, the world IMO. They are well respected and feature great production and originality. The artists they've worked with through the years is stunning. Having said all of that, this is (one) of their remix albums - this one dealing specifically with some of their mixes between 1997-2000. In this one they do the remixing of many artists cuts.

It starts out with the very familiar 4Hero track "We Who Are Not as Others". It has that dropped tone and kicks up int osome beats off the get go. Marshcmellow's also have a cool track titled "Soulpower" with an adequately titled "Jazzanova Straight Dub mix". Other highlight tracks off of disc one were the remake to label mates Truby Trio, with a very interesting take on "Carajillo". UFO and Soul Bossa Trio are also given reworks worthy of a listen. Meanwhile CD2 doesn't slow down and ended up being my favorite. Ursula Rucker has the silky & seductive "Circe" given a quiet and mysterious remix - haunting because of how simple it is. Balanco's "Metti Una Sera A Cena" has a sweet bossa vibe to it - really reminds me of the early days of Schema's Break & Bossa which had... breaks and electronica mixed in, and seemed more creative altogether. Also featured was a great remix by Soul Quality Quartet's "Toda Tersafeira". The cut has a loop to it that hooks you in and admittedly I prefer this remix to the original on their debut album on Irma records titled "Dip".

If you can find this, I'd certainly recommend it. But I don't know about paying $40 for it - but then again when I got this the cd was in several stores I frequented at well below half of that price. Still, you get 20 songs total and none of them are mixed into the other (woo-hoo!). Also be sure not to confuse this with their single disc "Singles 1997-2000" collection, which is available as a very pricey Japanese import. It too is a great cd but really may be of value for collectors. If you dig this, be sure to check out "In Between" and their many other mix projects. You might also be into other Compost artists like Fauna Flash, Truby Trio, Intuit, Beanfield, Wei Chi, Minus-8 (not his last one) and the like. Or... you will probably like Thievery Corporation, Dr Bob Jones, Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge.

Of about 20 electronica CD's in my collection, this is my favorite. It flows nicely. I love to put it on while I am working or studying. It just sets a nice mood. I wish I had 50 more like it. If you're looking for music to chill by, this is the one. OTOH, if you're looking for some hoppin dance music, try something else. I love this CD.

This CD was suggested in Talk Magazine as one of five to have playing during a cocktail party, and what a good suggestion that is. The music is smooth, yet not your typical jazz sound. It is different, but not obtrusive, and would make a great addition to any collection. If you like entertaining and are looking for something a little different, this is one to get.

Maybe I don't know alot about the subgenres and the like, but I know what I like when I hear it.After all the hype I stumble across regarding thse guys I guess I expected more. More surprises, more diversity, more,... I mean it's ok and everything, but call me crass , I had more fun with the Kruder and Dorfmeister remix set,... sorry. If amazon had 1/2 stars I would say 2.5

On the track Complete Life by Liquid Lounge, does anybody else hear a recording error at around 4:24 playing time? I think the music skips at this point. Any comments on that?