Editorial Reviews

The success of Verve's first down-tempo dance-jazz hybrid collection, 2002's Verve Remixed, has spawned a sequel that once again finds dance-floor denizens mining the legendary jazz label's vaults for songs to remix. On Verve Remixed 2's best tracks, the post-millennial knob-twiddlers take their selected original cuts as sketches in need of coloring, shading, and a little modern pizzazz. Things kick off with the Funky Lowlives' spin on Dizzy Gillespie's already funky "Manteca," on which the London duo underscore the slippery rhythm with well-oiled beats and a synth response to Dizzy's sassy horn. Chicago upstart Felix Da Housecat slips some house beats into Nina Simone's "Sinnerman," suggesting a darker-hued Pet Shop Boys. Another unexpected spin comes from French-Argentinean trip-hoppers Gotan Project, who inject a bit of the tango into their bouncy take on Sarah Vaughan's "Whatever Lola Wants." Also on the Latin tip is Fila Brazillia's reworking of Cal Tjader's vibes-rich Latin jazz instrumental "Soul Sauce," which, thanks to its energetic programmed beats, takes on the feel of Santana gone lounge. In their native Sweden, Koop tread on both sides of the jazz/electronica divide, as does the duo's turn on Astrud Gilberto's "Here's That Rainy Day," downplaying the original's melancholy in favor of a breezy, sunshiny vibe. It's perfect for clinking glasses at a seaside resort -- in any decade. Lydia Vanderloo, Barnes & Noble

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