Like the other Blue Note Trip compilations mixed by Martijn Barkhuis, aka Maestro, Heat Up, Simmer Down emphasizes the Blue Note catalog but also draws from other labels in the EMI family, including Capitol and EMI-Manhattan. While the graphic design points toward the 60s, the selections span several decades. Most of the tracks are, of course, strong -- the 60s and 70s picks in particular, from Bobbi Humphrey's Mizell production Uno Esta to Nancy Wilson's Im in Love (sampled three decades after release by Erykah Badu's Honey). This plays out like another sampler, more like a grab bag than a cohesive listen -- something that comes through with abrupt transitions and deeply contrasting tracks, as heard between Ben Sidran's About Love and Patti Drew's version of Otis Redding's Hard to Handle, two of the Capitol picks. ~ Andy Kellman|
Rovi