Remixed Bossa Nova: Music For Any Remixable Occasion

Remember when I said, “Bossa Nova lends itself very well to down tempo music”? No? Well, I did, and it’s true. Here’s a little bit of proof.

Thanks to the utter lack of new and original music being made, the remix album is all the rage right now. Somewhere on the remix album list was Bebel Gilberto’s name. And since bossa nova and down tempo go together so well, it was a no brainer for the record label folks. Unfortunately, Bebel Gilberto Remixed is somewhat uninspired, even with contributions by Thievery Corporation and Telefon Tel Aviv, mostly because Bebel could never match the talents of her parents.

And that leads me to my next remix album, Verve Remixed 3. You know the drill, old verve jazz and soul standards pulled from the vaults and given a 21st century spin. The high point on this album is RJD2’s remix of Astrud Gilberto’s “The Gentle Rain.” The list of remixers for Verve Remixed 3 is a bit longer and heavier then Bebel Giberto Remixed with the likes of Postal Service, Brazilian Girls, Carl Craig, the Album Leaf and Danger Mouse. But no amount of DJ talent could bloster Verve Remixed 3 which is almost as bland as Bebel Gilberto Remixed.

I know, I was disappointed too. Here’s hoping Verve Remixed 4 will be better, much better.

Stuff to Sample: From Bebel Gilberto Remixed, “Ananjú (Latin Project Remix)” and from Verve Remixed 3, Astrud Gilberto’s “The Gentle Rain (RJD2 Remix)”