Jazzanova: Saving music one set of eardrums at a time
debonair | 3rd Rock, Milky Way | 10/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a huge fan of Jazzanova. Everytime I get one of their releases, it broadens my appreciation of music. This cd is no different. It's really hard to categorize since I can honestly say I've never listened to anything even close to this before. It's jazzy and bluesy and folksy with a dash of soulful melancholy a la Radiohead but nothing over the top or depressing. If you're fan of the remixes 1997-2000, brace yourself. This cd goes in a completely different direction, very retro. However, you can tell that all of the artists featured on this tracks cared deeply about the songs because they pour the emotions all over, with the sort of vulnerability that is very atypical for a Jazzanova cd mix. I highly recommend it to fans of Jazzanova who are open to new approaches to music. If popular radio played this stuff I would still tune in.
Technically, the mixing is everything you've come to expect from a Jazzanova release(with the exception of In Between...what happened there???)
I already ordered the 2nd CD in this series. I can't wait for Jazzanova:A View on Classical! :-)"
Simply Beautiful
bordersj2 | Boston | 12/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jazzanova are a group out of Germany, fronted by around a half dozen musicians and producers on the Sonar Kollectiv/Jazzanova-Compost label. Others on their labels range from Truby Trio to Beanfield, Michael Reinboth (founder), Koop and Minus 8. These are some of the best in electronica, nu-jazz and broken beats. Jazzanova have had one heck of a ride in the past 10 years or so, pioneering new sounds in electronica, broken beats and soul. On top of their own original production work, they know a thing or two about reshaping and refacing a cut, as evidenced by the endless amount of remixes they've done; I'd say since 2002 they've had at least 4 releases, and this isn't including all of the 12" they've played with and helped out with, like Marcos Valle's "Besteiras De Amor ", etc.
This is a cd dedicated to Jazzanova's interpretation of folk music, and what a strong CD this is! I have to admit that I'm certainly not a musical scholar, but the ambiance and feel of this cd is very true to what I would have interpreted as 'folk'... which honestly moves a bit beyond bell-bottoms, 'Peace & Love' and volkswagon vans with flowers painted on the sides of em. The CD starts out strong with Superimposers "Would it be Impossible", a sound that'll transport you back to the late 60's and 70's, neat effects in the end. That's follwed up with a pretty impressive rendition of Joni Mitchell's sensational track, "Help Me", as done by Nicola Kramer. What a dreamy song... then and today. "Thief" is a cut that glides under the radar at first listen but ended up being one of my favorite two songs on a cd loaded with what can only be called, quite simply, beautiful music. It's gentle, smooth, and it takes you to a place and a time far away. Ashley Slater's song will sound familiar to anyone that's a jazz fan... remember "Gettin' Down"? And that's followed up sensationally by BurgtorF & Saval's "I Still Have Time", a track that's so strong, so beautiful and so dreamy with an amazing bridge.
I HIGHLY recommend this. As the previous reviewer stated, you really can tell that the works by the musicians in these songs was quite personal and done with pride. Not every song grabbed me, but the majority of them were very nice, with some that were breathtaking. They're tremendous works of art which will remind you of how diverse and beautiful music can be. What to recommend if you're a fan of this... well volume 2 is due to be released in February of 2006. Jazzanova's regular work is different, but they did recently put out another remix project earlier in December."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1