Customer Reviews

Verve Unmixed

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

 

 

As much as I enjoyed The Verve Remixed, I had to like this CD better. This one I'll listen to when I want to blast music for fun, when I'm studying, when I'm relaxing, just about any time. The Remixed version I'll take to the gym. It was an adventurous idea to remix all these classics, and for the most part, I like them. But they just don't have the same quality as when they're in their original form. For example, my favorite track on the unmixed is "Feelin' Good." I LOVE it - Nina Simone starts it out a capella, then what seems like a whole brass section blasts in to emphasize the point, that is, feelin' good. Remixed, there is no a capella, and therefore, no excellent entrance of the brass. Big drawback. I just love this CD. It has got a great variety of fantastic jazz artists. Buy it if you love jazz just as it is. I don't think these are songs that can be improved upon.

Honestly I am at a lost to why this CD is so [inexpensive]. I fear its price does it a dis-service as it implies poor quality. This is an unbelieveable array of smooth, yet funky songs by original artists. Particularly apt for fall, the general attitude of this CD is relaxed, but be careful, you'll notice that some part of your body will be moving. I find it's great for driving because with the exception of the last track, there's a great continuity between the songs. Party music is great, but in the real world people don't party 24hrs, for all those other times, this is the CD to listen to.

This is the companion piece to the compilation "Verve Remixed," which had dance-interpretations of classic jazz tunes. On this album, we get the original versions, and they all shine in their pristine glory. The track listing is flawless, sampling the work of Billie Holliday, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughn, and other must-have legendary jazz artists. The Verve label has rightfully earned its status as one of the leading names in jazz, and they've come up with a dynamite album whose pricetag makes it an appealing bargain. Those who own "Verve Remixed" shouldn't even have to ask if they need to get this album. Both discs compliment each other like mashed potatoes and gravy.

This is a sort of problematic collection consisting of the originals from which the Verve Remixed disk remixes were derived. Ten of the twelve cuts are female jazz vocalists bookended by Willie Bobo's opening cut "Spanish Grease" and the closing chanting of Tony Scott's "Hare Krishna." If one just thinks of it as a female jazz vocalist compilation (or if one is energetic enough to program the player so that it becomes a female jazz vocalist compilation), it is enjoyable though not definitive. The Willie Bobo cut stands out because it isn't female jazz vocals, but it's a nice tune. Tony Scott's chanting will probably send many listeners scrambling for the eject button.

This is a CD comprised of original versions of the 12 songs that appear on the critically-lauded Verve Remixed CD. The music here stands in stark contrast to the reworking of the material on the Remixed CD, and can only be safely recommended for people who are either so curious about where the music for the better known CD came from, or are SERIOUS jazz heads. The tone is 180 degrees away from te Remix CD, but the power of the old songs in undeniable, just not necessarily for anyone who's not into jazz.

The originals from the Verve Remixed CD... well, almost. One of my favorite tracks, Return to Paradise as done here by SHirley Horn isn't the original. However to me it is still one of my favorite forms of the song. Verve usually does this and always, you can feel the charm from the originals that are never really matched by the new remakes. Of course you just look at Verve Re-Mixed in a different light - that is an extraordinary album, and maybe that is the secret; to see it as it's own unique album and sound.

I enjoyed this CD. It's always good to gather the companion pieces with the remake and judging by the price, you really can't go wrong here. It's a very soulful and rich Jazz cd. Like the previous reviewer stated, if you're a jazz head, pick it up - it'll incite memories and passion - the songs are so rich, as are the voices and sound. I'd definitely recommend picking up this CD.

As a side FYI, verve did this with Nova Bossa. That tribute featured original Bossa Nova tracks by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Stan Getz, Caetano Veloso, Sergio Mendes etc. - and that is the companion piece to Red Hot + Rio. Red Hot + Rio featured remade Bossa Nova tracks. Artists included original Bossa Nova artists and more modern artists (1996 at least). Everythign But the Girl, PM Dawn, Maxwell, Stereolab, Chico Science, etc. I recommend both, but if you're into originals like this Verve Un-Mixed cd, definitely get Nova Bossa - Red Hot on Verve.

Before I start, all the songs on this CD are excellent songs. The actual compilation of the cd is what troubles my somewhat. I have to agree with the first reviewer in that the main focus of this CD is female vocalists rather than a good, all-around jazz mix. Verve Remix Vol. 1 did an excellent job mixing these songs, but I feel that the song selection could'be been more varied. To contradict myself, it is a good thing that they unified the theme of this CD by choosing mostly soft, slow, pure female jazz vocalists; however, using a conjoint theme isn't always the correct decision...as with this CD. I personally thing that the paramount project of Verve was thier Verve Unmixed Vol. 2, due to the fact that volume 2 contained a plethora of variegated jazz mixed that amalgamated to form a unit, even though each song was ultimately different from the last.
But, I deviate from my review. This CD has good songs if you want to own a nice collection of female jazz vocalists I suggest buying it.

Most purchasers of the Mixed disk will be unfamiliar with the original Jazz standards versions of the songs. This CD exists to fill in that gap. It's hard to make a direct comparison between the dance and the jazz versions. Each in its own place I'd say. Great music regardless of the technology or the era. This disk highlights that good music is forever.

this thang here is a track meet!
willie bobo is the starter's pistol setting this thing off... i like them, but carmen mcrae and astrud gilberto kinda stumble out the gate, but dinah washington picks it up and IT'S ON from there on out! the batton is handed on to sista nina (rest her soul) and there remains little speculation as to how this race is gonna end... some real flawless music from there on out...

...UNTIL...

tony scott's thang... i love the mid-eastern feel of this joint, it's just out of place with the rest of this, which is understandable because this disc IS just made to showcase the original artists that the downtempo producers used for their remixed version...
other than that, my only real complaint is that the tracks are sooo short - the vast majority being under 3 minutes (this might account for the pricing)... but for 5 bucks you really cant beat the quality and the vocal diversity this thing offers.

this is 'sunday sophistication'... if you dont really appreciate traditional jazz vocalists then you should probably move on, but i strongly recommend this for true fans and anyone sitting on the fence.

sum.