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James McMillian: Savoy v. Quiet Money – The Rematch

James McMillian’s Savoy v. Quiet Money-The Rematch (Savoy Jazz, CY78959, 50:05) re-contextualizes snippets of classic bop (Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker) for the modern dance floor. It’s hardly a new idea-see US3 and the Blue Note Re-Mix project. While this disk’s junglist leanings-on tunes like “Surf Ride” and “Recardo Bossa Nova”-offer a different spin on the formula, it isn’t consistently strong enough to qualify as more than an interesting experiment diversion (especially considering the current jungle glut). The instrumentalists (especially sax player Patrick Clahar and guitarist Giovanni Parricelli) contribute some tasty solo breaks. McMillan (who plays fluegelhorn and programs all the beats) also does a pretty good production job on the more straightforward groovers, like “Barbados,” and “A Night In Tunisia.”

Originally Published