Jazzanova - The Remixes 2002-2005

Compared with the first collection ("The Remixes 1997 - 2000"), Jazzanova has taken a less transformational approach in this second collection of remixes, preferring to allow the original tracks to speak more for themselves to the listener. The super-slick, signature Jazzanova sound of the mid/late-1990's -- relentless, polyrhythmic/polyethnic drumming overlaid with deep, jazzy chords -- was remorselessly applied across the board in the first remix collection, which made for a lot of listening pleasure but little variety. Many of those remixes bore little or no resemblance to their original versions (e.g., "Watch Them Come !!!", "Amazon Adventure", and "Welcome To The Party"), and quite a few ended up sounding (embarrassingly) interchangeable with each other. Now, in this second collection, the lighter touch yields immediate dividends, at least for those who prefer a less monolithic approach together with a more "organic" sound.

Jazzanova's own sound has itself evolved significantly over the years. There's now less emphasis on their signature style of the previous decade in favor of a more holistic, contemplative approach, embellished on occasion with the glitchy, scratchy textures which derive ultimately from the "techno dub" sound that the Germans, especially, have mastered so well of late (connect the dots from, e.g., the 2002 compilation "MAS Confusion" on !K7 to Jazzanova's much-talked-about stablemate Âme).

In this second collection, Jazzanova has also ventured further afield in search of remix candidates, specifically to indie rock (Calexico) and early jazz-fusion (Eddie Gale). While the results from such experimentation are interesting if inconclusive, diehard fans of Jazzanova's signature approach won't be disappointed, especially with the remixes of NuSpirit Helsinki, Marcos Valle, Masters At Work feat. Roy Ayers, and Shaun Escoffery, whose respective styles obviously represent the principal vertices on the perimeter demarcating Jazzanova's traditional stomping ground.

Jazzanova never fails. If there's a single that says "featuring a Jazzanova remix," you can rest assured of the quality. So on this, the second collection of their remixes, they don't disappoint. They range from the mellow funk on Heavy's "Wonderlove (For Minnie)" to the thicker beats of Status IV's "You Ain't Really Down." There seems to be much more emphasis to their the R&B and soul sides on this collection, perhaps reflecting their own increasing interest in working with vocalists. But with luminaries such as Roy Ayers and Shaun Escoffery, the quality remain undiminished. The electro on "Flashback" by Fat Freddy's Drop gives way to some nice synthesized horn stabs. Eddie Gale's "Song of Will" gets a moody jazz treatment, with the chorus swirling and filling the sonic space between beats, while Marcos Valle's "Besteiras Do Amor" surprises by not showing its Brazillian heritage until halfway through the track. They take a huge risk with their glitch-western mix of Calexico's "Black Heart." The glitch theme continues with their take on the Free Design's "Lullaby," a dreamy track that exists somewhere in the ether. Marvelous.