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Verve Remixed, Vol. 3

It's an idea that never should've worked in the first place: Verve classics remixed by today's hottest DJs and producers. Yet here's the third installment in the successful series and quality control remains high. Granted, there are a few tracks on each compilation that don't work as well as others and Verve Remixed 3 is no exception. The Postal Service take on Nina Simone's "Little Girl Blue," for instance, makes for a pleasing listen, but sounds too much like the former (the Album Leaf does a better job at staying out of Simone's way). Adam Freeland's "Fever" and Max Sedgley's "Peter Gunn," however, get the balance right. Both songs have been updated for the dancefloor, but Sarah Vaughn's exquisite vocals remain front and center. Then there's Lyrics Born with Jimmy Smith's "Stay Loose," which keeps Smith's groovy organ work in the foreground, but makes a funky track funkier yet. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

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Customer Review:

Three times a charm.

"Sing, Sing, Sing" and that's what I do when I hear this tune. The RSL remix really puts me in a great mood. Another stellar track is "Just One of Those Things" - sparingly gorgeous. Already a BG fan, this remix reaffirms my belief that there is something really special going on with that team. More than groovey, emotional too- Remix #3 is a great listen.

-B.A.

NEITHER FISH NOR FOWL

I bought this album after hearing two tracks from it on the Santa Monica public radio station KCRW. The Peter Gunn theme sung by Sarah Vaughan appealed to me; it's hard to find more catchy themes than those written by Henry Mancini. The cut that really hooked me, though, was the Astrud Gilberto song with that hypnotic piano. I don't know the original recording so I assume that the piano was done on the remix. This is the only cut on the CD that I felt was improved by the remix. Most of the remix components do not match the aural quality of the original recordings; the remix components sound pasted on, like a cutout baseball cap stuck on the Mona Lisa. It isn't that the original recordings from the 1950s and 60s are masterpieces, but they are stylistically so strong that putting new electronic sounds over them makes them into weird, unappetizing hybrids --- neither fish nor fowl. Don't get me wrong. I am happy that I bought the CD. As I say, that one cut (Astrud Gilberto) is powerful and haunting.

Unfortunately... 2 stars. I had high hopes.

As a big fan of Remixed 1 and 2, I was very excited to hear that 3 had come out. But upon listening to it, it turns out that I'm only keeping 6 out of the 13 tracks on my playlist. Little Girl Blue, Speak Low, Fever, The Gentle Rain, Peter Gunn and Stay Loose made the cut. Everything else was very discordant-sounding to my ears, with none of the electronic groove that I was used to on the other albums. My tastes may be too mainstream to truly appreciate the unusual choices made by the more experimental remixers.

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Keywords: Club/Dance; Dance Music; Electronica; House; Jazz Collections; Pop; V/a Compilations;

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Brazilian Girls

"Brazilian Girls" is a name designed to steer you to the "wrong" sites in a Web search, and the not-so-thinly-veiled innuendo (one chorus is "Pussy pussy pussy marijuana") doesn't help either. But the music the Brazilian Girls make is more seductive than salacious. And except for one member, they aren't girls. The one who is, Italian-born Sabina Sciubba, is a former jazz singer who has the hipper-than-thou chanteuse thing going: a cigarette dangling from her lips, a beret cocked sideways on her head, black-stockinged legs crossed suggestively... at least she sure sounds that way. Sciubba sits astride basslines that insinuate themselves like a sideways glance in a smoky bar, as a sensual mix of live drumming and gritty trip-hop lounge grooves skew to the side of late-night alcohol-clouded vision. The English, French, Spanish, and German-language lyrics and Weill/Brecht-meets-Baja Marimba Band horns only add to the delirious dislocation. With a sophisticated electronic palette, Brazilian Girls exude that hip retro-future sound that propelled Deee-Lite back in 1990. Hopefully they won't also be one-hit wonders. --John Diliberto

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Customer Review:

The Under a Groove movement has begun

Brazilian girls are a cool band they have musical variety and catchy, kitchy little choruses. For example, "pussy, pussy..."

We all know the connotations of this. Pussy Galore, from Gold finger, among other things.

But, the true variety in dance music and funk grooves is now on two albums. Paris under a groove and San Francisco under a groove. These are the dance records taking us into the twenty first century. Its a new movement. And a new groove. peace.

Enter Mystery

I was looking to order some Brazilian music; and, through inadvertence I ordered The Brazilian Girls. Imagine my surprise when I heard the 1st cut. Was that the same voice that appears on the CD "Dirty Child"? I could swear that Sabina Sciubba and Rosy are one in the same. No two women could have the same sexy, sultry, intriguing voice. It is also interesting to note (even though Sabina is cleverly shrouded) the similarity between the two women's facial features: same mouth, same nose. To top it off, both women wrote most of the music on both CDs. But enough of that! I don't want my imagination to detract from the music here. This is a talented group of artists that should appeal to a universal audience. If Sabina's voice doesn't wow you or the accompaniment doesn't slay you, you aren't ready for one very sexy CD. Buy this one; you won't be disappointed.

WOW!!!!!

I only heard of the Brazilian Girls a few days ago and, am I glad I did. I'm not big on writing flowery reviews. But, all I can say is, this might be one of my favorite cds of all times. The mood this cd gives off is so much more than sexy... "Homme" draws you in from the first note. Every song after that is as good as the one before it. If you're in to a good time and good music with a lot of sensuality, go for it. I'm recommending this cd to everyone I know. Like I said "WOW"!!!!

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Keywords: Adult Alternative Pop/Rock; Club/Dance; Dance Music; Downbeat; Downtempo; Electronic; Pop;

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Madagascar

Most of the older songs included on the soundtrack to this animated feature are so well-known that they border on well-worn (Vangelis' Chariots of Fire theme has to be one of the most reused pieces of 20th-century music ever) but their feel-good quotient is also hard to deny. (Earth, Wind & Fire's "Boogie Wonderland" again? Sure, bring it on!) Still, it's hard not to wish the brains behind this CD had included snippets from the movie, considering it features the vocal talents of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, and David Schwimmer. (One of the soundtrack's draws is a cover of Reel 2 Real's early ‘90s hit "I Like to Move It" by Sacha Baron Cohen (a.k.a. Ali G), who voices one of the characters. The track could well turn into the kind of kiddie hit inescapable at the coolest birthday party this year. The other big draw is "Best Friends," a catchy tune halfway between the Beach Boys and Belle & Sebastian that shows that composer Hans Zimmer can do lighthearted whimsy when needed. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

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Futures

Soundtrack;

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Customer Review:

fun cd Madagascar

This was a fun - pick me up kind of cd. My kids loved the movie and music. If you liked the movie, you will love the cd

One of the funniest movies of the year!

I saw this movie with my sons 3 times and it was just as good each time! The movie was great and we love to sing "I Like to Move It" in the car!

Move It

I specially bought this soundtrack for my four year old granddaughter who, after seeing the movie with me, couldn't stop singing "I like to Move It". She doesn't seem to mind Sasha Cohen talking through it, because there was talking in it during the movie also. She plays it everytime she can and drives her parents crazy when she asks for it while traveling in the car.

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Keywords: Film Music; Pop; Soundtrack; Soundtracks; Soundtracks & Film Scores;

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Listen to Your Heart

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Futures

CD-single;

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Customer Review:

Great album... as expected

The DHT album is not the most original piece of work, but the girl can sing, and if you want love songs and songs about break ups and such, this is the CD for you. I bought it for my girlfriend and later wanted my own copy after hearing it in her car. Listen To Your Heart is a great track, along with track 5 and 6. The whole CD is an easy listen and a great buy.

Cool single!

I love this one! :
1. Furious F. Ez Radio Edit: I loved this one! Definately my favorite!
2. Hardbounze Single Edit: This is good, too but not as good as the radio version
3. Edmee's Unplugged Vocal Edit: Too slow. It's not even in the right key.
4. Furious F. Ez Extended Mix: My 2nd favorite! IT'S AWESOME!!!!!
5. Hardbounze Extended Mix: 4th favorite. Pretty good.
6. Extended Hardstyle Mix: EWWW HATE THIS ONE!!!!!!!

This Song Kicks!

For lovers of club music everywhere. The Furious F. EZ Radio Edit is the best version of Listen To Your Heart on this disc, and this CD it is worth it for that song alone. It touches your heart, but it is also wholly danceable. If you like club music you should own this single.

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Keywords: 5"CD Singles; Club/Dance; Dance Music; Hi-NRG; Pop;

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