Miles, Nasir, and Carlos
What? I just read about this in a newsletter.
Sounds oddly compelling...
MILES DAVIS//NAS & SANTANA - Evolution Of The
Groove [CD-EP] (Columbia; USA) As enduringly
popular as Miles Davis remains, it is something
of a surprise to realize just how sparsely
picked-over his catalog remains in terms of
remixes and reinterpretations. Certainly, the
folks at Columbia/Legacy have given Davis just
about the most exhaustive and reverent
reissue/re-release campaign in the history go
recorded sound. However, aside from two Bill
Laswell-helmed discs almost a decade ago (1999's
Panthalassa), no one has been allowed near Davis'
work. Considering the commercial and critical
success of projects like Verve's Remixed trilogy
and Charlie Parker's Bird Up disc, it's
surprising the Columbia overlords have been so
chary at the prospect of opening up the vaults in
this manner. Given how much of a cantankerous
fellow Davis was in life, there's a good bet he'd
approve of any such recontextualizing, especially
inasmuch as it would be assured of scandalizing
the blue-hairs in charge of jazz posterity.
In any event, 2007 brings us the
Evolution of the Groove EP, which, while hardly a
full-scale remix effort, still has a couple nice
moments. Whereas the Verve Remixed discs were
aimed at a club crowd, this disc is a tip to the
hip-hop nation. It begins with a one-minute long
studio outtake of Freddy Freeloader - exclusive
fanbait in the most literal sense of the word
that segues into some nice territory with Freedom
Jazz Dance, a Miles Smiles-era number with
additional work from Nas and his dad, trumpeter
Olu Dara. The tracks aren't so much remixed as
refitted, with remix honcho Pat Thrall delivering
a respectful rhythmical update without upsetting
the appeal of the original tracks. The best bit
here is probably In a Silent Way's "It's About
That Time", featuring a blistering guest spot
from Carlos Santana. Honestly, after all the
adult contemporary pap he's been responsible for
these last few years, I didn't know he had it in
him. Still, at just barely 15 minutes, this EP
does little more than wet the appetite. As
well-heeled and interesting as these
reinterpretations are, there's not enough to sink
one's teeth into. I'd really like to hear more in
this vein, guys. For now, however, I'll have to
settle for listening to Bitches' Brew again for
the umpteeth time - still scarier and more
forward-thinking than just about anything else
released in the intervening four decades. - Tim
O'Neil
CD-EP $8