Customer Reviews

Sounds From the Verve Hi-Fi

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It is worth repeating ; this is NOT a Thievery Corporation disc in the vein of "Mirror Conspiracy " or their latest "The Richest Man in Babylon. " If you have recently been turned on to these guys, like their ability to remix the music and are looking for more of the same stay away from this disc. To use Thelonious Monks title to one of his songs, this is "Straight No Chaser." This is pure and simple some old jazz, of the softer variety and sort of like the roots of acid jazz. Featured are some pretty good selections for newbees to the genre but for grey beards this is a stroll down memory lane;essentially an eclectic compilation leaning towrds the softer sounds of bossa nova and the likes of Latin jazz. Imagine James Bond(the original Sean Connery) strutting with his eye on some obscene named babe, introducing himself as Bond.....James Bond with a martini in hand as the featured "For Mods Only " plays in the background by Chico Hamilton. This is music from the 60's, when spies were spies and Peter Sellers was shagadelic. This was the time when world music was spreading it's wings, east meets west with the introduction of sitars and tablas as in the catchy Richie Havens(he of the "Freedom" cry at Woodstock) number included here entitled "Something Else Again." It was a time when pop rock was making the crossover to jazz artists interpretations as in Astrud Gilberto's version of the Doors "Light My Fire". The musical boundries were beginning to be blurred. Some artists were experimenting with Latin rhythmns. The Latin flavors abound with some tasty offerings by one of the great vibe players Cal Tjader and his "Cuchy Frito Man." A few songs are on the fringe of straight ahead jazz like the the numbers by former John Coltrane pianist Wynton Kelly's Trio entitled "Escapade" or the jazz vocal stylings offered by The Jazz Renegades on "Do it the Hard Way ." All in all this is nice compilation for those softer moments when you want ot create a relaxed mood while you tap your feet without falling asleep.

This is good music to have in the background for soft conversation, slow dancing, and, yes, seduction. This is good smooth jazz played by the masters of the form such as Stan Getz, Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66, Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery, Cal Tjader, Astrud Gilberto, Walter Wanderly, and others. It has that Bossa Nova beat to it. Great summertime listening!

Somebody wanted to know who the female vocalist on the first track is (No, it sure wasn't Stan Getz! LOL) It's Maria Toledo who was married to Luiz Bonfa who plays with Stan Getz on this cut.

This is '60's music and, as I noted, cocktail lounge music. The performers are definitely those best versed in this kind of truly smooth jazz. Recommended for relaxed and for romantic occasions.

When Mad Professor remixed Massive Attack's "Protection," there was a rush to grab up the Professor's solo material. You could hear the shouts of horrified hipsters everywhere as REGGAE wafted out of the speakers! Something tells me that something similar might occur with this CD.

"Sounds from the Verve Hi Fi" is a collection of semi-obscure easy listening/bossa-nova/jazz from the record collection (are all of their records on Verve? Hmmm...) of Eric Hilton and Roberto Garza, Thievery Corporation to you. NO, it's not set to BEATS, and there is NOTHING SAMPLED. The music here is original and occasionally raw...this is the real thing! Standouts include "Ogd" (anything by Jimmy Smith is a worthy purchase), "Light My Fire" as interpreted by Astrud Gilberto and Wynton Kelly puts in an appearance with "Escapade."

The verdict? Everything on here is great, but it's no place to start your jazz collection. This is not the complex or spiritual stuff like Miles or Mingus. However, it goes down quite nicely with a decadent Polynesian cocktail and that lil' special someone...

I will repeat this later, but I think fans will want to know that this is NOT an ESL release. It's compiled by Thievery Corporation for VERVE.

THat said, I enjoyed this album. However I think folks that are looking for the next new think from Thievery Corporation would be disappointed. Again, this album is not actually released by the ESL label. This is a "Verve Music" release - so it is heavy heavy jazz and old school. This album is a selection of music compiled by the guys from Thievery Corporation for a "Brazilian Jazz" feeling Verve release. None of their actual music is on this.

That said, it's good music. It's true to Verve. However some of the songs that were selected are far from the artists most brilliant works. This would be more along the lines of a "quality tracks that may have been forgotten" sort of compilation. A previous reviewer was very correct when they said this about the Astrud Gilberto song. For Astrud Gilberto, why not "Goodbye Sadness" for example. And Elis Regina, take your pick really. But to hear an awesome version of Bola Com Bala, listen to Joao Bosco's instead. RARELY do I point someone over Elis, but that song, the xinga in it is unmatched.

So in short, there are better comps out there - regardless of the tracks you're looking for here. For starters, I would recommend "Nova Bossa", another Verve Bossa Nova release. And there are so many others. But all the artists have done better work. However if you're a collecter, enjoy the B sides, or simply will get anything with Thievery Corporation attached this might be for you.

I must admit though... I do LOVE Menina Flor, the first track.

Bossa Nova, Jazz, Reggae and Lounge-Pop are what the Thievery Corporation is all about. The resurrection of the downtempo-lounge movement of recent years is a reflection of the original musical craze of over 40 years ago. It is nice to see that artists such as Willie Bobo, the Gilbertos, Stan Getz, Sergio Mendes, and other artists that my parents grooved to, have now come full circle for a new generation. Although this music may sound a bit dated to those born after 1985, those who can appreciate music before the MTV age can chill out with a cool drink and some headphones, stereo lounge chair optional. This CD is a nice tribute compilation of various artists and gives us an idea of TC's inspirational roots.

I first heard this compilation in the Pacific Restaurant in Dublin. I asked the server for the name of the CD and ordered it right away. I'm a boomer and was heavily into the "Top 10". Finally, I've matured beyond that. Thievery has done a great job of placing the music so that it flows along. The instrumentals are catchy enough to linger in your head and complex enough to engage you in multiple listenings. First rate. I'm ordering this for my daughter!

Playing off the title of their first full length records(Sounds from the Thievery Hi-Fi), The
Washington.DC duo pays tribute to the many Verve artists they have either sampled from or been inspired by. This collection, while not mixed, is a brilliant selection of tracks from a time forgone but not forgotten, that may remind a new generation of lounge aficionados that their parents were drinking martinis before they did. In the typical "Verve" signature sound, the soul of Brazilian jazz is omni-present, highlighted by the bossa rendition of "Light my fire" by Astrud Gilberto. Other artists include Sergio Mendes and Brazil '66, Stan Getz, Richie Havens, Wes Montgomery, etc...

I remember the first time I listened to a record by Thievery Corp. I became instantly aware of how different their sound is. I could not help wonder where this pair gets their inspiration, and what serves them so well in their constant stream of well engineered sounds.
Well...this is it!
I think they did a great job in letting their public know what inspires them to conceive the sounds they so well create.
The songs in this compilation range from Bossa Nova to early Latin Jazz...a truly remarkable spectrum of early sounds that planted the seed for part of what is now known as loounge music.

most fans of thievery corporation will be very disappointed with this release. true fans will delight in seeing some very significant influences into their music presented here from the verve label. eric and rob were asked to put together a compilation of their favorite tunes from the verve label (you might remember a similar move by dj cam on his 'honeymoon' release last year). there is no mixing, but this albums provides you with two essential elements: (1) a look at what has inspired the new sound of thievery corporation and (2) a wonderful introduction to the verve label. there is very little electronic on this release, but it is a nice compilation album.

Smoooth... The most delicate tunes for true romance. Must have music. On your shelf proves that you are sophisticated person with TASTE.