Sounds From The Verve Hi-Fi
(Verve)
It says a lot about the state of the music industry when an esteemed label such as Verve allows flavour-of-the-month DJs to access its prized vaults for an exercise in self-promotion.
On Sounds From The Verve Hi-Fi, despite contributions from jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith and Wynton Kelly, the Thievery Corporation steals top bill for a collection they didn't write or record. Nice work if you can get it.
Has the disc-spinner become more important than the author? If so, stay tuned for Righteous - Thievery Corporation presents the best of Wolfman Jack. Ranting aside, the Corp's selection of Latin jazz and Middle Eastern rhythms is eclectic enough to put Ruben Gonzalez lovers on the dance floor alongside fans of Ritchie Valens.
Getz, no stranger to the bossa nova, leads the album off with a breathy tenor sax rendition of Menina Flor. But the real highlight of this cut is the fluid guitar stylings of Brazilian Luiz Bonfa. Bonfa died last year aged 78 after introducing the world to the bossa nova, playing in the giant shadow of countryman Antonio Carlos Jobim despite having been recorded on more than 120 albums.