About ten years ago I was searching for a type of music that I would hear on compilations, mixes and radio shows occasionally but could never nail down the eclectic sounds into a genre I could seek out. That is until I discovered Jazzanova.

Evolving from my love of bossa nova to what I later learned was called “nu jazz,” Jazzanova (tongue-in-cheek Portuguese for “new jazz”), was the perfect vehicle for the latest phase of my musical journey. Starting with their The Remixes 1997 – 2000 collection, I became dedicated and bought everything I could find.

Through them I discovered their label and producer identity of Sonar Kollektiv and from there it was pretty much over… I’d finally found a music I could call home. It’s that good.

And so today we come to my review of Jazzanova’s proper second album of original music: Of All The Things. Unlike their first album, their remixes and indeed many of their earlier stuff, I sensed for the first time a definite change in style, production and sound quality. Jazzanova being the band identity of their own Sonar Kollektiv label, it’s not a wonder that their talents lie mostly with producing. Indeed there are many guest musicians and always guest vocalists on their work. This process has lead some of their critics to call the music cold and electronic and lacking soul; reviews of which I do not agree but I can see where someone who already has a prejudice against anything electronically produced would think.

However, over the past couple of years, two things happened that have directly influenced this new album by Jazzanova: the rise of nu soul and rehashed soul out of the UK and the Sonar Kollektiv Orchester. The former is obvious to anyone keeping tabs on mainstream music. Sometimes it’s done very well (Alice Russel) or merely a rehash of “that sound” from the past (Amy Winehouse).

The latter is perhaps the most important development as the Sonar Kollektiv Orchester is made up directly of members of Jazzanova along with an orchestra of musicians. Debuting their performance last year at Popkomm (and I was there!), and later to release an album this year, the Orchester took some of their biggest label hits and reworked them with real and orchestral instrumentation. Gone was any sign of cold electronic production.

The Review

Which brings us to Jazzanova’s second album: Of All The Things. This is a solid “all killer, no filler” work bringing nu soul very much to the fore and allowing Jazzanova to fold in a little closer to the mainstream obsession. But unlike the short, simplistic soul songs you’re hearing on the radio today, Jazzanova keeps their signature talent and works in complex bridges and breaks and continues to work with some of the best vocal talent you’ve never heard of. Together this makes an album that rivals the soul works of even Alice Russel (who’s new album came out this year), Jamie Lidel (who is so close, but falls back too readily on “catchiness”) and even beating out their other work, Guaranteed Niceness by the Sonar Kollektiv Orchester themselves!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“Look What You’re Doin’ To Me (Featuring Phonte)” – Jazzanova

The first track off the album and the first one I heard on the Beyond Jazz podcast, immediately hits you with pure nu soul popping in elements from the past but keeping it modern with a steady rhythm. Anyone familiar with Jazzanova will no doubt be surprised this is their work.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“I Can See (Featuring Ben Westbeech)” – Jazzanova

“I Can See” takes what soul you may have noticed in the first track and slaps it in your face. Hints of the soul the kids are all into now, but with Ben Westbeech’s far more complex voice and music production that is multilayered and at the same time, catchy as hell. Dare I say this is the hit that will bring in new fans?

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

“What Do You Want (Featuring Joe Dukie)” – Jazzanova

Oh Joe, what do you know? Joe Dukie has been working with Jazzanova and Sonar Kollektiv for as long as I was into them. There’s no mistaking his voice and indeed this song lends itself back to that classic Jazzanova sound the fans may be craving, but with considerable differences: back up vocals and real instrumentation. Even if this album is Jazzanova’s only foray into soul, the organic live sound is here to stay.

The album also includes a new bossa nova song featuring vocals by Pedro Martins and Azymuth and like their first album, a hip hop song but this time with Phonte. This track is particularly interesting as it’s about a black American being overseas in Europe trying to make his music career but missing home and missing the companionship of other black folks. Speaking to many of the non-German vocalists who work with Jazzanova, this entertaining track hits home and rounds out the album.

The new direction and the quality of production of this overwhelmingly entertaining album forces me to consider it the Album of the Year, at least in the nu soul/jazz genre. Regardless, it’s on repeat for me, and I haven’t had an album on repeat for years.

BUY IT!