Whoever invented the remix should’ve gotten a patent, because it’s become the most overused strategy in stretching out a catalog’s longevity. Hence, Blue Note Revisited is a remixed compilation of some of the label’s most notable tunes. From the outset, taking legendary old-school jazz songs and reinventing them sounds about as promising as a Kenny G rendition of “Love Supreme.” But, surprisingly, Blue Note offers up something that’s both worthwhile and entertaining.
The CD kicks off with France’s La Funk Mob doing a sonic overhaul of Wayne Shorter’s “Oriental Folk Song,” which comes to rest between acid and classic jazz. Detroit’s own Jay Dee gives us a whole
new funk version
of Brother Jack McDuff’s “Oblighetto.” The album flows easily through Kenny Dope’s hot adaptation of Bobby Hutcherson’s “La Malanga,” while DJ Spinna’s “Lansanna’s Priestess” and Madlib’s “Young Warrior” are simply jewels. But toward the end, Jazzonas should have left Eddie Gale’s “Song of Will” right where it was and Herbet’s sporadic piano edition of Michel Petrucciani’s “Caravan” is flat and annoying. All said, Blue Note Revisited is one of the more courageous and innovative remix jazz CDs in recent years.
E-mail Kahn Davison on [email protected].
