“In Between became a defining moment—not just for Jazzanova, but for a burgeoning sound that fused jazz, soul, electronic, and broken beat,” the collective reflects. “Two decades later, we’ve revisited this milestone with the Jazzanova Live Band, a group that has been touring the world for 15 years, captivating audiences with its dynamic blend of precision and improvisation.”
A little over twenty years ago, groundbreaking Berlin collective Jazzanova released their debut studio album, In Between. This album not only set a benchmark for what would come to be known as nu jazz but also encapsulated the ethos of Jazzanova: a collective whose music draws inspiration from the past while remaining firmly grounded in the future.
When In Between was released in 2002, it reflected the influences that had shaped the group since the mid-1990s—a seamless blend of jazz, soul, broken beat, and electronic music, brought to life by producers Stefan Leisering and Axel Reinemer, alongside DJs Alex Barck, Claas Brieler, and Jürgen von Knoblauch. Created as a studio concept, it was never intended to be performed live. That changed in 2008 with the formation of the Jazzanova Live Band, coinciding with their second studio album, Of All The Things.
Fifteen years and countless tours later, the Jazzanova Live Band has become a formidable force on the global live music scene. With their third album, The Pool (2018), they cemented their reputation for bridging the worlds of intricate studio production and live musicianship. Yet one lingering wish remained: to revisit their debut album, In Between, and reinterpret its original sample-based essence through the vibrancy of live performance.
In September 2024, this vision came to life. At the renowned Little Big Beat Studios in Liechtenstein, the Jazzanova Live Band performed In Between for the very first time in an intimate studio session in front of an audience. Captured on three analog multi-track tape machines and accompanied by a full video recording, this session reimagines the album with a fresh energy, combining samples and live instrumentation seamlessly.
The band is made up of Sebastian Borkowski on sax and flute; Stefan Ulrich on trombone and FX; Christoph Adams on keys and vocals; Jan Burkamp on drums; Christoph Bernewitz on guitar; Florian Menzel on trumpet; and Paul Kleber on bass, who also contributed live bass to the original 2002 recordings. Vocal performances were equally stellar, with Nigerian-born future soul artist Wayne Snow lending his signature sound to the reimagined club anthem That Night; seasoned vocalist Heen Maartens, AKA HEEN, showcasing his skills as a rapper on the percussive, horn-heavy The One-Tet; and longtime Jazzanova collaborator and erstwhile Sonar Kollektiv recording artist, Clara Hill, who returns to the classic No Use, delivering another lush, classy performance.
Elsewhere, the spine tingling introduction of L.O.V.E. and You & I illustrates from the get-go the perfectly blended combination of live musicianship and played samples that run throughout the album, from the staccato bass and drum workout of Mwela, Mwela (Here I Am) to the more laid back, trumpet led beauty of Place In Between / Cyclic and the assured and optimistic Another New Day. More dance floor inspired moments also translate perfectly into the live arena with the dynamic, club friendly Days To Come and a more organic version of the original album highlight, Dance The Dance, rounding off this ground-breaking recording.
In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live celebrates a milestone as the collective breathes fresh life into their legacy, proving that great music transcends time and evolves with every listen.
Tracklist:
1. L.O.V.E. and You & I (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)
2. No Use (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)
3. The One-Tet / Fade Out (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)
4. Mwela, Mwela (Here I Am) (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)
5. Place in Between / Cyclic (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)
6. Another New Day (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)
7. Days to Come (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)
8. That Night (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)
9. Dance the Dance (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)
