by Scott Yanow
The group Cold Sweat was formed in the late '80s to play jazz versions of songs associated with James Brown. By the time they recorded their third album in 1990, that concept had largely run out of gas and instead the group interpreted an eclectic program that includes several originals by trombonist Craig Harris, "'Round Midnight," Marvin Gaye's "If This World Were Mine," Quincy Jones' "The Secret Garden," a one-minute version of "Nefertiti," and pop songs. Mixing together avant-garde players with funksters, the music is somewhat strange, disturbing, and ultimately a bore. It is a pity considering that Craig Harris, trumpeter E.J. Allen, altoist Sam Furnace, and guest tenor George Adams are among the musicians.