All Things Deep - Reviews - Various Artists - Hi Fi Jazz (mixed by Alex Attias)

Various - Hi Fi Jazz (mixed by Alex Attias)

This is about as expansive a collection of nu jazz as you're likely to find. All the heavy hitters are present and accounted for: Modaji, Jazzanova, Phil Asher, Ian O'Brien. Of course, the man behind the expert blend, Alex Attias, makes an apperance under his Mustang moniker.

But it's not just about name-dropping with this compilation. The sounds range from Nubian Mindz's drum and bass to the dream house of Karma and ambient vibe of Ian O'Brien's mix of Akasha, but the unifying theme is a commitment to electronic experimentation with rhythms, sonic textures and instruments. And that is why this sound is called nu jazz: there may not be a single horn solo on this disc, but the non-commercial attitude and desire to create new sounds while maintaining an eye on the dancefloor clearly reflects the spirit of jazz.

Two years old and still a benchmark in the evolution of nu jazz. We eagerly await volume 2.

Released 1999 on Xtreme

Selected Tracks:

Nubian Mindz - Black Science Pt. 2
Karma - High Priestess
Soul Drummers - Space and Time
Joakim Lone Octet - Sphinx
Likwid Bizkit - Find Peace Within