Jazzanova Review

By Boon

Jul. 15 at Voda (The Message)
Jul. 16 at Ginger 62 w/ Amalia (from Sekoya)

Pretty dope to have a night based on ‘nu-jazz,’ among other things, and have Jazzanova play there. Actually it was just one of the Jazzanova DJs (Alex Barck) doing his sets. The Voda set was much better than the set Alex played at Ginger for my ears. I don’t think you could really tell it was ‘Jazzanova’ playing at there if you didn’t know. Was a rather pretty disappointing set of deep soul/jazzy house. Amalia from Sekoya, and another vocalist, whose name escaped me performed before Alex played, each performing what I think were original songs that they collaborated with Dr. J to produce. Dr. J was on the keyboards and a live bassist accompanied aswell.

At his Voda set, he played more what made Jazzanova famous: a whole lot of broken beats and lots of other things from b-boy funk breaks, warm and soulful nu-jazzy stuff and even a little experimental electro…all over them broken up beats, of course. The beats can described but really have to be listened to realize, I guess. They are somewhere between hip hop breaks, house, drum ‘n’ bass and 2 step. All in all, I think they are some of the most intricate beats out there.

The only song that I recall that he played on both nights was one with the beat from k-os’ ‘Superstar Part 0,’ with another MC on it, which was funny cuz me and my friend were just talking about that song outside, while having a smoke, and how it was a very ‘Jazzanova’ style beat and before we went back in to hear him playin it.

Anyhow, props to Rizk at Voda and Barry at Ginger for bringing in world-class talent for the most affordable prices in nice, intimate little venues.