The Undercover Review

Legendary jazz label Verve last year had released a collection of their finest moments remixed to become one of modern house music's finest moments. That collection was so successful that a second collection was destined to happen and not a moment too soon! The album covers as many aspects of that broad, broad genre we call jazz as fourteen tracks deem possible, often retaining the genius of the original musicians. Take for example Dizzy Gillespie, often regarded as the greatest saxophonist ever to walk the earth, his track 'Manteca' holds the original bass line and if you listen carefully, it will be revealed as to why Dizzy was the greatest sax player of all time.

The fantastic vocal performance by Oscar Brown Jr. in 'Brother Where Are You?' is kept in its hauntingly beautiful original form, while most of the instruments have been sampled and rearranged ever so slightly.

Occasionally the whole "remix" thing is overdone and the magic of the original recordings is totally lost on the odd occasion, especially Archie Shepp's 'Blues for Brother George Jackson' remixed by Mondo Grosso. Layo & Bushwacka give a brilliant chilled beats feel to Ella Fitzgerald's 'Angel Eyes' and Ramsay Lewis' 'Do You Wanna' is filled with keyboards that could only be described as brilliant.

Hugh Masekela's 'Mama' remixed by Metro Area is nigh on a complete house tune, but with original solo's sitting high in the mix it's difficult to forget this was once a jazz classic.

The album closes with Nina Simone's haunting voice in Jaffa's remix of 'Black Is the Colour of My True Love's Hair' featuring a keyboard lick that grooves like so few others!

This album is filled with some great jazz standards remixed and given a new feel, so clubbers and jazz enthusiasts alike should see something they enjoy in here. Musicians beware however, as many of these tracks may retain pieces of the original vibe, but not entirely, drums are the first to be churned through the sample-machine and most other instruments, with the exception of bass have been removed or effected in one way or another. This is not an all time classic jazz album, it is simply a new look at some great tunes. If you're a fan of the Verve label, not to mention a fan of creativity then check it out, it's well worth a listen.

By Tim Cashmere

Track Listing
Disk 1
1. Falling From Above
2. Double E
3. Leave The Driving
4. Bandit
5. Carmichael
6. Devil's Sidewalk
7. Grandpa's Interview
8. Bring' In Down Dinner
9. Sun Green
10. Be The Rain

Disk 2
1. [Dvd] Greendale Concert (Solo & Acoustic) - Live In Dublin

Label

Warner