This review is from my newly update Hip Joint site.
http://www.angelfire.com/az/hip/joint/vinyl.html (check out the sound samples on that page).
Jazzanova In Between (Ropeadope/Jazzanova Compost/Atlantic)
by dj essential
Jazzanova, is the 6 man dj/ producer collective from Berlin, Germany. They were first involved with the 90's Acid Jazz scene. They began releasing delicious doughnuts (acid jazz/ downtempo singles) for Compost Records. Soon after they merged into Jazzanova Compost Records, releasing their amazing Sonar Kollectiv & Jazzanova tunes respectively. Soon after they started remixing everyone like Incognito, United Future Organization, Roni Size, 4 Hero, Ian Pooley, and many others. The music is definitely jazzy incorporating soul, hip hop, house, electro, detroit techno, afrobeat, latin, and drum & bass elements. Over the years there music was known as Downtempo, Nu- Jazz, and now, Broken Beat, but Jazzanova is always breaking down boundaries within their music.
Now, Here it is!!! "In Between" is Jazzanova first international full length LP, appearing on the new domestic Electronica label Ropeadope (it's being distributed through Atlantic). This highly anticipated LP/CD starts off with the beautiful downtempo workout "L.O.V.E. and You & I". This tune is a soulful sample-heavy masterpeice, echoing lost gems from The Five Stairsteps' "Something's Missing" and many other hidden soul and jazz precious resources. "No Use" is a groovy lil' Nu-Jazz number that reminds me of the early works of Minnie Ripperton. Simply soulful. The album then picks up speed on "The One- Tet" featuring hip hop mc, Capitol A (of King Britt's Sylk 130 fame). The music is a fascinating combination of afro-latin rhythms, techno, and concious hip hop rhymes. I flipped out when I heard the sultry jazzy vocals of Valerie Etienne (of Galliano fame), on the hauntingly beautiful broken beat tune "Mwela, Mwela (Here I Am)". "Keep Falling" is a spoken word jam led by 21st century poetess Ursula Rucker that continues to push the listener into another realm, beyond time & space. One of my favorites is the spacey acoustic broken beat jam "Another New Day" with it's (hard to decipher) spiritually disembodied vocals. Then on to my favorite guest on this perfect LP, the mighty gifted Vikter Duplaix. He's the third Philadelphian to appear on this amazing record. "Soon" starts with a bleepy detroit techno vibe and then swaggers into bossa nova-inspired Nu-Jazz territory, while Vikter's voice and lyrics continues to shine. Now, were off to some deep spiritual jazz of "Dance the dance", with the Eugene McDaniels-influenced vocals of Doug Hammond. "Takes you back" is a nice 80's synth led tech-funk groove, that will really put a smile on your face. The vocals of newcommer Desney Bailey brings back the sound of 80's boogie like Loose Ends, Sade, and Soul ll Soul. "Wasted Time" featuring Vikter Duplaix is a sensual nu-soul tune, similiar to Maxwell, Musiq Soulchild, or even Bilal. But make no mistakes, he's no soundalike. He's becoming a future soul superstar, just watch. Jazzanova will soon be credited as being the first well known Nu-Jazz/ Broken Beat act to hit the mainstream. I think they're definitely ready and worth it.
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