The New Groove: The Blue Note Remix Project, Vol. 1 (1996)

About this title: One of many jazz-rap fusion projects of the mid-'90s, The New Groove found top hip-hop acts of the time -- including Diamond D., Guru, the Roots, and Spearhead -- remixing and revamping classic tracks by legendary jazz artists like Donald Byrd, Lonnie Smith, and Bobby Hutcherson. Though far from a novel concept even then, the album works better than most similar projects thanks to the talents of the parties involved. The Angel's version of Byrd's "Kofi," which features silky-smooth rhymes from up and coming female MC Mystic, proves one of the album's high points, as does DJ Smash's ultra ... read more

Tracks:

1. Kofi [Byrd]
2. Hummin' [Adderley]
3. Living for the City [Wonder]
4. Listen Here [Harris]
5. Friends and Strangers [Jeffrey/Oliver/Robi]
6. Down Here on the Ground [Garnett/Schifrin]
7. Summer Song [Foster]
8. Move Your Hand [Smith]
9. The Sophisticated Hippie [Silver]
10. Montara [Hutcherson]
11. Mixed Feelings [The New Groove] [Terrasson/Angel C]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.