It doesn't seem so much that they don't respect DKC, as that they're trying to take the Rare DK and make it their own again.
I've also read somewhere (maybe wikipedia) the Myamoto didn't dislike the game, but was upset about being pressured at the time to make Yoshi's island more like Donkey Kong Country. Granted, wikipedia isn't the most reliable source...
Also, with or without Expresso, Jungle beat is awesome.