Search - Various Artists :: Streetwize: Smooth Urban Jazz

Not Streetsmart!

Adrian G | Dallas, Tx | 12/06/2002

(2 out of 5 stars)

"STREETWIZE- SMOOTH URBAN JAZZThis CD dropped in late April and I don't know how I missed checkin it out. With the success of Hidden Beach Recordings "Unwrapped", the breakthrough jazz/hip hop project, you knew there was gonna be some copycat recordings. Kim Watters, the popular saxophonist, is the main artist on this project. I'd have to say though that I'm a little disappointed with the result here. The CD starts with a smooth version of Aaliyah's "Rock da Boat". It's nice but nothing to write home about. It's followed by a cool version of "Izzo". They install some organs into the mix to accompany the saxophone and some DJ cuts also. Then comes Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me", a song i already disliked and not made any better with this version. The problem is the saxophone tries to keep up the pace of the lyrics to that song, instead of developing his own flow to the baseline. All of these selections are purely musical, with the occasional chorus sung. Most of the time they could have done without the chorus. Mystikals "Shake It Fast" makes an appearance that's real nice. Sounds like they used a sample from the MJ song "Can't Let Her Get Away" from the Dangerous CD. Clearly the highlight to this CD is the Ginuwine cut "Differences". This song is perfect for a Jazz version, and it's done perfectly here. the production is crisp on this song and there is a 20 sec note hold, a Kenny G trick, that set's it off. An instant classic remake. The only other highlight to this CD is "Always on Time"., which features more organs and flows on its on, not following the Ja/Ashanti pace. The problem with this CD is it wasn't conceptionalized like "Unwrapped". No mixing of the songs at all. Back in the Mid 90's it was popular for a Jazz artist to include a "urban" remake on his CD. All these songs on their own as "guest" songs on another CD would be cool, but collectively they don't have the fire to set it off. This CD is decent, good for those who live by urban radio but really don't venture to the jazz market."

Not Bad, but not the Best

Jeannette Abrahamson | Dallas, TX | 12/17/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I just read the previous posters response and it seemed like he copied the words right out of Unwrapped #2 liner notes.I found that the Rock the Boat, Always on Time as well as After Party's version was excellent. The others were "ok", however i wouldn't considered them "copycat"."

Only buy if...

Romello James | Milwaukee, WI United States | 01/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you like the hip-hop turned jazz music, then this is great. Anytime Hip-Hop or R&B are turned into jazz I'm usually interested. If you are a huge Hidden Beach Records fan, then this might be a let down. Hidden Beach is moreso freestyling off the blueprint of a song and Streetwize kinda makes their own version of the same song. (Not sure if that made sense). Anywho, the only thing I don't get is the cover choices. On the back of one of the cd's a lady is fully clothed, but the back of her jacket is pulled up to show her [...]. No idea why that was necessary. If that's supposed to be sexy she should be in lingerie not blue jeans. lol



Overall the album was good and it will be in the rotation, but so far nobody compares to my Hidden Beach Records Volumes 1-3."