Spiderman Soundtrack
Various Artists
Music from and Inspired by Spider-Man includes musical sounds for almost everyone. Much like its companion film, the album doesn’t take itself too seriously, as evident from its swinging opening track -the original 1960s Spider-Man cartoon theme (“Hey there, there goes the Spider-Man!”).
Sum 41’s recently recorded studio version of “What We’re All About” will serve as the soundtrack’s first single. Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger flies high with Saliva’s Josey Scott on the ballad hit and the album’s second single “Hero,” which plods along predictably.
Standout tracks include hipster Pete Yorn’s “Undercover,” The Strokes’ “When It Started,” and Jerry Cantrell’s “She Was My Girl.” Also, Macy Gray, who made a cameo appearance in the film, rocks with former Rage against the Machine’s Tom Morello on the funky “Nutmeg Phantasy.”
The addition of several tracks from Danny Elfman’s score and Aerosmith’s campy cover of the Spider-Man cartoon theme are reasons enough to buy this album.
If you’re fiending for more Elfman fun, the entire score is slated to be released next month.
Verve Remixed
Various Artists
Although the manipulation of jazz has long been a part of the DJ/Club scene, leave it to jazz recording giants Verve Records to find a fresh new way to combine jazz and techno in their stunning new Verve Remixed album.
Some of today’s top DJs and Producers give modern spins to jazz classics, focusing mainly on female vocalists. Songs by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Carmen McRae and others are on the CD.
The overall outcome is amazingly successful with nary a bad remix in the bunch.
High points on the album include Tricky remixing Holiday’s darkly soothing “Strange Fruit,” De-Phazz trying his hand at Fitzgerald’s “Wait ‘Till You See Him,” and Richard Dorfmeister’s bass-heavy take on Willie Bobo’s Latin classic, “Spanish Grease.”
The only problem track is Sarah Vaughan’s “Summertime,” as seen by UFO. Honestly, the song is simply funky enough without the trippy additions UFO makes.
For more information on the CD and Verve’s plans for more jazz remixing, check out their web site at: www.ververemixed.com.
