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They artfully place different styles in a perfectly balanced narrative, never falling into predictable patterns, with the architecture of the album playing as important as the tunes themselves. Legendary Brazilians Azymuth, via kindred spirits Bembe Segue to soulful-jazz master Jose James (to name a few): they all effortlessly converse with each other in perfect alchemy.
The use of sampling is reduced to a bare minimum, apart from a 'domestic' cross-referencing which subliminally augments the album's consistency. Hence, slotted between Dwele's rendition of Marcos Valle's Rockin' You Eternally and Joe Dukie's What Do You Want?, there sits Phonte's So Far From Home: choppy hip-hop waters off safe soulful shores. Based on a sample from the previous Paul Randolph track Let Me Show Ya, it completely subverts the mood. And the urgency and intensity of the original it thus acquires makes it one of the highlights.
On a less laudatory note, this is an album that will probably date quickly, in contrast to the seminal masterpieces which inspired Jazzanova. But Nu jazz never aspired to surpass its jazz and soul muses. It is all about the enjoyment of making music in your chosen field, intelligently reworking all things musical without detracting from value, message and groove; especially in a world where, too often, all is reduced to some bland Orwellian pop pulp.
There are some superbly catchy tunes here - had Let Me Show Ya been the opener, it would've taken a couple of weeks to even think of hitting track two. Overall, this is a truly classy outfit.
Of all the things Jazzanova love and chose to include here, not one of them feels out of place. --Lara Bellini
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Crystal clear sound, original compositions for each song, exceptional vocals (my favourite is Phonte): all this makes Jazzanova one of the trademarks of German electronic scene and puts them right next to the godfathers OF ALL THE THINGS, Kraftwerk.
The new album is magnificent. If you like Jazzanova, you'll love it. If you don't know them and you like fresh brew of jazz and downtempo music, you'll love it, too.
It is with a tinge of sadness then to have persevered with 'Of All the Things' and still not to have been struck by the divine light that warmed my being in their preceding album. Jazzanova should of course do what the hell they like when making music but unfortunately this does not have the invention and meticulous production of their previous effort. It may just be that I don't particularly enjoy 'standard' soul music - I think this genre was part of an era that has now gone and it feels to me that soul music (in the sense of people/groups that stick to a rigid form drawn from the 60s & early 70s) now has an element of contrivance and dislocation in these dislocated times. 'In Between' connected to the real and to the present, this is presented as something compartmentalised, drawn from the past and standing uncomfortably in the now.
Still there are some enjoyable songs to be heard here and I continue to admire the magnificent Jazzanova (many of their remixes, not in either of these albums, are outstanding) and hear sparks of their genius within this album. I just wish they hadn't emulated others so obviously, something they didn't do with their first album; this feels like the newest in a long line of great soul records, not a pinnacle standing proud in the midst of time, beholden to nobody, distinct and seperate, yet connected indubitably to the core of being; such is the might of 'In Between'.
A bit like Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black", this is all about retro soul. And, wow, there are a some stunning tunes on this LP. Strong vocals, amazing live instrumentation and a vibe which takes you back in time to a warm summer evening in the early '80s. Some amazing collaborations too - Jose James, Phonte, Dwele, Thief & Leon Ware is about as diverse a mix as you could get but, despite this, the LP has a wonderful continuity about it. Though different in style to "In Between", each composition on this LP contains the same outstanding richness and quality which made "In Between" such an outstanding LP.
If you like Jazzanova, or even Back to Black (but not heard of Jazzanova), you will love this LP. Thoroughly recommended.
Groove on down to it
Jazzanova are back and this album is awesome, jazzanova quality and a nice spin on a classic soul sound. Read more
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