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Quincy
Jones and Bill Cosby
The New Mixes Vol. 1
(Concord)
“Hikky-Burr, Hikky-Burr, Hoo Lard, gonna get some raggits
and some rolls and grease-a-micen, ha, ha, ha, everyday, long
as I’m away.” Who could forget these immortal words,
joyfully scatted out over a funky bass line and distorted Fender
Rhodes piano for the theme song of The Bill Cosby Show?
Some of you, who are probably residing in an assisted living
facility, might remember that before he portrayed the affluent
Doctor Huxtable, the talented Mr. Bill played the undaunted
but temperate Coach Chet Kincaid in a sitcom that ran for 52
episodes between 1969 and 1972.
Like the Ghost of Christmas Past, a piece of my ancient adolescent
memory has returned to me with the arrival of The New Mixes,
Vol. 1. This new disc from Concord Records has the aforementioned
“Hikky Burr” along with some other jazzy, nostalgic
gems. The twist is that the Quincy Jones material from the old
Cosby show has been remixed by what the record company says
are “Today’s hottest artists, DJ’s and producers
putting a new spin on these vintage, funky soul-jazz tracks.”
The list of hot contributors includes Mix Master Mike, Mario
Caldato, Jr. (Beastie Boys), Bedrock (John Digweed and Nick
Muir), Herbert, Eric Krasno and Neil Evans (Soulive), Echo,
Stiff, Marc and Ursula 1000; and if I have forgotten anyone
if was purely and surely intentional.
This disc begins with “Along Came Mister Nobody”,
a track that is a quintessential synthesis of the sounds from
the late sixties and early seventies. With rhythm guitar sounding
like it was lifted off an old Jackson Five record, in addition
to Ramsey Lewis keyboard lines, this music would have fit right
in to the Soundtrack of “Shaft” or “Dirty
Harry”. The singular difference is that modern hip-hop
effects have been added to this song to provide a more updated
flavor. However, on one level, it sounds strangely out of place
with the dated material.
The modern makeover works better on (Matthew Herbert’s)
Technically Amateur Mix, where clever DJ effects integrate exceptionally
well with the superbly arranged horn section, evoking the image
of a musical assembly line. “United,” a mix by Said
Mrad features electric violin and saxophone trading fours on
the solo and successfully employs the use of drum machine to
create an updated sound and for my taste the finest track on
the record. “Glimmer,” a song mixed by Bedrock uses
sounds and textures, including wooden flute that are very reminiscent
of Weather Report, creating an atmospheric modern jazz sound.
The New Mixes, Vol. 1, is a very listenable record,
where the combination of nostalgia and new technology work surprisingly
well together in fashioning contemporary, instrumental, electronic
music. The integrity of the original work is maintained and
on nearly every track improved upon. For me, the day is at an
end and I am preparing to barbeque some fine specimens of carnivorous
delight; and while savoring my culinary talents, I believe the
requisite melody will be the sweet sound of some Hikky Burrs.
Reviewed by
Phillip E. Hardy
August 23rd, 2004 |
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