Boston beat-maker Jenova 7 returns to Cold Busted for the crucial cut collection Dusted Jazz Vol. 3. A crate-digging vinyl junkie and film school graduate, inspired by the heyday of ‘90s trip-hop — and artists like DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, and Portishead — Jenova 7 forged his own sound, eventually ending up on DJ Mark Farina’s Mushroom Jazz 8. After taking a stylistic departure with the funky sci-fi themed album A Cosmic Safari, his collaboration with Russia’s Eddie Shinn, Jenova 7 issues the long-awaited third volume of Dusted Jazz, following the first two volumes on Dusted Wax Kingdom. He is also a member of trip-hop trio Wax Triptych (with Mononome and Mr. Moods).
The cuts transmit a hazy and jazzy flow throughout, featuring chalky mid-tempo breakbeats and funky beamed-in-from-the-70s atmospheres and flavors. You can almost see a sun-drenched, scratchy super-8 film accompanying “5 Pointz Theme,” an immensely cool cut paying homage to a city’s graffiti center. “You Dig?”, which originally appeared on IWYMI Volume Nine, continues the vibe, delivering squelchy vintage synth, chunky piano, and a lovely guitar interlude. And “Static,” featuring the lovely vocals of K8 Marcos, reveals Jenova 7’s range — it’s a delicious, breezy trip hop tune that wouldn’t be out of place alongside the likes of Zero 7.
Dusted Jazz Vol. 3 is a treasure from top to bottom, and Jenova 7 joins the ranks of his influences with this accomplished and multi-faceted release.
Kid Loco (Tromolo Records) – “I dig this! Back to the old school.”
ActRaiser (Fokuz) – “mellow vibes with a crunchy edge. Love it.”
Danny Massure (Spring Strut) - “Lay My Burden Down is my favorite track that has been sent to me in months.”
Rusty/All Good Funk Alliance (Super Hi-Fi) – “Cool stuff. Digging the Shadow vibes.”
Hippie Torrales (Cyberjamz Radio) – “This has a mature acid jazz feel.”
Michael Moebus (Meem) – “Nice release. Smokey, jazzy beats that are well done.”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “Dope & dusty. Dirty drums.”
Mark Reynolds (Just Chillin Podcast) – “More stone cold classics than Easter Island.”
Aja Allsop (Ketch A Vibe Radio Show) – “This is such a diamond of an album. I can’t choose a favorite!”
DJ Nartak (Nightflight & Klassik Lounge) – “Cool stuff. I love Jenova’s way of mixing styles and (cinematic) atmospheres.”
Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.