This Isn't Maybe [EP]

To a rigid jazz snob, sampling an old Chet Baker vocal for trip-hop/electronica purposes is musical blasphemy -- it's the sort of thing that should never be done under any circumstances. But such experimentation doesn't have to be tasteless; on this EP's title track, Waldeck demonstrates that a Baker sample can, in fact, be used tastefully in a trip-hop/electronica setting. Two mixes of "This Isn't Maybe" find Waldeck sampling Baker's 1955 recording of "This Is Always" and combining his vulnerable, boyish vocals with an electronic groove -- and the end result is hypnotic, intoxicating trip-hop perfection. With other producers, blending a jazz vocal from 1955 with an electronic trip-hop track from 2000 would have sounded forced and unnatural. But Waldeck, much to his credit, makes the Baker/trip-hop blend seem perfectly logical. Although "This Isn't Maybe" is the EP's centerpiece, Waldeck can also be proud of the haunting instrumental "Cut the Cheese" and singer Joy Malcolm's soulful performance on "Defenseless." Although catchy, "Demasked" isn't quite as memorable as the other selections. But all things considered, This Isn't Maybe is among the more creative and imaginative trip-hop releases that came out in 2000. ~ Alex Henderson