Throughout its entire career,
Jazzanova has been largely renowned predominately for its high-quality remixes for various artists. Whenever a
Jazzanova remix was presented, it was more often than not an event for downtempo fanatics rather than whoever was on the A-side. This time around, though, the tables have been turned and other artists take a stab at interpretations of songs from
Jazzanova's 2002 full-length debut. Labelmates from the Compost community (
Beanfield,
Yukihiro Fukutomi,
Moonstarr, and
Kyoto Jazz Massive) all take a stab at remixing their friends, delivering the Brazilian-tinged downtempo concoctions that made Compost one of the most innovative labels of the '90s. But not content with keeping it in the downtempo/chill-out vibe,
Jazzanova reaches out to hip-hop producers (
Jazzy Jeff,
King Britt,
Madlib, P Smoovah) and broken beat heads (Ayro,
Bugz in the Attic,
Domu,
Vikter Duplaix) as well as French indie post-rockers
Stereolab -- who churn out an amazing remix of "Another New Day." This wide diversity in choosing the remixers is a smart move, as it gives a little bit of everything to people who like certain aspects of
Jazzanova's work but not others. Giving new interpretations (two discs worth at that!) not only shows how strong an album In Between is, but gives it an entirely new life in the eyes of listeners who might not be hip to the eclecticism that is a hallmark of the
Jazzanova sound. ~ Rob Theakston