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London and NYC Club and Concert Listings Album Review: V/A - [re:jazz] (re:mix) (INFRAcom!) Reviewer: Oliver Scott Well, here’s an interesting idea. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of their Frankfurt based INFRAcom label, Jan Hagenkoetter and Name Leonhard-Vaughn released an album of acoustic jazz versions of some of their label’s earlier releases, and called it re:jazz. And now, a year later, comes re:jazz re:mix, where they’ve handed the acoustic versions back into the hands of an entirely new batch of remixers. Confused? No, me neither. I suppose the success of this project depends on how much you can get out of the album if, like me, you’re not familiar with all the originals, or indeed, the jazz makeovers. And so I’m able to say that the album is an unqualified success - due in no small part to the varied bunch of people involved. From Bari, Italy, the prolific DJ and producer Nicola Conte’s take on Quiet Nights (not that one) gives us his trademark stylish bossa-influenced approach (no, it still isn’t that song) with a strong and sassy vocal from Lisa Bassenge. Russ Gabriel keeps My Love is Higher on the jazz tip, with splashy cymbals, swinging vibes and saxophone by one Heinz-Dieter Sauerbom – cool name sir – and an almost Mizell Brothers like synth line. If you’ve not heard it before, then I can properly recommend Afuken’s work, both as a remixer and on his own. One of the most innovative artists around. His “interpretation” of Mental Strength features his patented ‘weirdly funky electronic basslines and bizarre collage of cut up samples’ approach, and sounds not unlike the infamous Deck the House with a female vocal bouncing about all over the show. The RAS remix of ‘Swoundosophy’ does my head in a bit for some reason, and the dub take on Torch of Freedom by Frost and Wagner is alright, but just alright, though I have a feeling that this doesn’t really capture the essence of the original. Anyway, the Swell Sessions seem to be shaping up to be one of the best things out of Europe for a while, and their remix – with the Gonkyburg Gospel Choir no less, well apparently – of Release Your Mind is a gospel/house/jazz gem. Jazztronik’s take on Cupid & Orlando mixes a ponderous but slippery bassline with Inga Luhning’s lovely vocal and works equally well. I’m really feeling Yukihiro Fukutomi’s Second Sight which starts off nice and noodly – just as we like them – before hitting a cool little jazzy strut. This Society’s brisk take on La Mouche Lumiere and Bugge Wesseltoft’s remix of Arena are both interesting and fun, and Les Gammas give People Come Running a crisp broken-ish remix, featuring ex-Loose Ends vocalist Linda Carriere. If you’ve heard the original album, I’m sure this remixed album is a must buy, and it has certainly inspired me to go out and pick it up with those handy Christmas gift vouchers. In fact, this CD makes me want to run off and serve espressos in some uber-trendy coffee shop in Berlin and stare at girls with mullets all day. This is a compliment, by the way. RELATED LINKS: INFRAcom! Buy [re:jazz] (re:mix) at Amazon.co.uk CD  | Vinyl RELEASE DATE: Tuesday 1 December 2003 (UK), unknown (US) PUBLISHED: Sunday 4 January 2004 To send us music for potential inclusion, email us at promos@knowtheledge.net More Reviews EMAIL UPDATES! Do you want to receive Know The Ledge update emails? Click here to sign up!	::: RELATED LINKS INFRAcom! Buy [re:jazz] (re:mix) at Amazon.co.uk CD  | Vinyl More Reviews