Customer Reviews

Verve Remixed 4 (Dig)

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

 

 

From the first drum crack and guitar lick of Truth & Soul's version of Dinah Washington's "Cry Me A River," I was sold. The folks at Verve have relocated their mojo with this installment in the storied Verve Remixed series. In a nod to current soul faves, Amy Winehouse, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and all things Mark Ronson, this album slices soulfully through some of Verve's best catalog material. There are some nods to more clubby sounds via Diplo and Mocky, but the mood for volume four is soul and this could be the sleeper lifestyle record of the year. If you dug the first volume in this series, you'll definitely appreciate this as a return to form for the series. Recommended!

First off, I have to disagree with the reviewer who said that Diplo's "California Soul" remix "destroyed" Marlena Shaw's vocals. Yes, the original can't be improved upon, but out of all the remixes on this disc, Diplo's remix is probably the most faithful to the original song. It's almost like he was too timid to really mess with such a classic, so he just locked in the tempo, added some beats, low end, a few filter effects, and that's about it. The track sounds more like something Diplo would have done for his Ninja Tune album. Most of the rest of the remixes on this release range from poor to above-average. Surprisingly, the weakest remix on this album comes from one of the strongest artists: The Cinematic Orchestra. Their beatless remix of Fitzgerald's "Kick" amounts to little more than a solo guitar under Ella's treated vocal (there might be some added vocal contribution; it's difficult to tell), and some scratchy vinyl sound over the entire track. I expected a *lot* more from J. Swinscoe and company. For better or for worse, the entire album is a rather laid-back affair...there's not really a dancefloor-friendly track to be found here. It's an interesting change from the previous Verve Remixed releases, but for the most part it just feels like a missed opportunity. 3 stars, and that's being generous.

Great CD! Perfect for playing as background music while hosting company. Although its always requested to be turned up because everyone likes it.

Though this collection isn't as strong as the previous three, I'm still recommending it. Each time I play it, it gets better. I'm a big fan of the whole series.

I was overjoyed when I first discovered the first two in the series. The 3rd wasn't bad, but this one was a complete let down! The mixes just don't work and leave you longing for the brilliance of the earlier releases. Save your money or borrow a copy first, album 4 just isn't worth the full price.

If you're expecting more bumpy bumpy, 4/4, shake your booty on the dance floor then Verve Remixed 4 isn't for you; in fact this should be called Verve ReImagined. There is very little difference between the original and the "remixed".

Almost every track is tweaked to sound like an Amy Winehouse song. The only difference is the real deal divas are providing the vocals. In fact, if you're a fan of Amy Winehouse, and wish for her to get it together long enough to put out another album, then this will tide you over until that day comes.

However, when I buy a Verve Remixed album I want Nina Simone's Little Boy Blue remixed by The Postal Service. I want Billie Holiday crooning Don't Explain backed by Dhizian & Kamien. I want to work up a sweat dancing around my living room for 60 plus minutes.

Sadly, Verve Remixed 4 doesn't deliver. If Dinah, Sarah, or Ella were alive today at the height of their youthful popularity this is what their sound would be. Unfortunately, it's not for me.

I really love this cd. The songs are catchy and everyone who hears it likes it, too. Worth the money...

VERVE PRODUCER DAHLIA AMBACH CAPLIN OFFERS US THE

FOURTH RENDITION OF VERVE/REMIXES WITH LESS TRACKS

AND LESS PLAY TIME THAN HER PREVIOUS RELEASES.

IN SAYING THAT SHE HAS WITH ASSISTANCE FROM HER

CO-PRODUCER TODD ROBERTS SUCCEEDED IN SELECTING

A MORE VARIED STABLE OF MIXERS TO WORK THEIR

MAGIC FROM THE VERVE VAULTS.

TOP TRACKS INCLUDE TRUTH & SOULS - CRY ME A RIVER

MIKE MANGINIS - GIMME SOME, KENNY DOPES - THERE

WAS A TIME. DIPLOS - CALIFORNIA SOUL AND PILOOSKI

EDITS - TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS.

BEST TRACKS INCLUDE PSAPPS - BIM BOM , MOCKYS -

TENDERLY AND CHRIS SHAWS - TEA FOR TWO.

WORST TRACK THAT IS MORE THAN SHAMEFULL IS

UNDOUBTEDLY KARRIEM RIGGINS - EVIL WAYS FROM

WILLIE BOBO - POSSIBLY THE MOST RECOG ISED

CUT ON THE CD GUYS - SIGNOR BOBO WOULD NOT

OF BEEN AMUSED.

I LIKE WHATS BEEN ACHIEVED ON THIS 4TH RELEASE

THE REMIXES LEND WELL TO THE ORIGINAL MATERIAL

WITHOUT GOING OVER THE TOP.

DAHLIA LET'S TRY TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE A LITTLE

ON NUMBER FIVE - WITH SOME REMIXES FROM .

DE-PHAZZ - MISTER SCRUFF - WAX TAILOR - 45

DIP - MOCEAN WORKER - GOTAN PROJECT .

VERVE/REMIXES #4 - BUY IT OR FLY IT - IT'S A BUY.

PC - LA.

I loved the first 2 in this series but not the last 2, including Volume 4.

It sounds too much like the unmixed versions. It lacks the updated remix bass-line.

Don't do it! I absolutely loved the first three verve remixed cds and have been enjoying them for years. The first opened my eyes to a whole new way to listen to jazz and even directed my classic jazz collection's growth. Since then, I've been quick to pick up each newest iteration and have been wowed by the cool tracks on the first three. This one, however MIGHT have one track worthy of sharing. I am totally disappointed.