Verve Remixed 2 (Verve/Universal) Rating: NN
Rating: NN
This is the follow-up to the disappointing original Verve Remixed project, which turned a gaggle of pricey producers loose on the Verve jazz catalogue to do their best Us3-style overhaul job. In the end, the original versions on the Unmixed companion disc were mostly superior to the re-jigs. The second instalment starts off promisingly with a new cast of high-profile remix specialists who have a rep for being less concerned with paper than product – namely Mr. Scruff, Gotan Project, Matthew Herbert, Koop, Morgan Geist and Felix da Housecat – only the poor track selection, which ranges from obvious standards to dreary vocal ballads, sinks it. Does anyone really need a Funky Lowlives remix of Dizzy Gillespie’s Manteca? Didn’t think so.
The Movement crew toast the release of Verve Remixed 2 and the #1 Brazilian Album at Roxy Blu Friday (August 29).
