Various Artists: Original Flavor Acid Volume 3

Original Flavor Acid Jazz Vol. III (Acid Jazz Hollywood, AJ 88061-2,75:29), manages to distinguish itself in the often spotty, cliché-larded world of acid jazz compilations. A backhanded compliment to be sure, especially for a disc as lively and funky as this one. There are the familiar (though high-quality) pop-soul-isms: Night Train’s “Lovesick,” Rose Windross’ “Living Life Your Own Way” and Raw Stylus’ “Use Me.” But there are some curves, like Mother Earth’s acid-soulish “Apple Green” and Nu Perspective’s “Hip Hot Beat,” the latter a particularly sterling take on the “classic jazz loop” concept.

Originally Published October 1, 1997