Boulevard: New Version-Complete Series [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

St. Germain | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Play It Again Sam
• ASIN: B0000634HS
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,469 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #19 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > Techno-House
  • #39 in Music > Jazz > Acid Jazz
  • #66 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > General

Track Listings

1. Deep In It

2. Street Scene (4 Schazz)

3. Sentimental Mood

4. What's New?

5. Dub Experience II

6. Forget It

7. Soul Salsa Soul

8. Alabama Blues

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

St. Germain (the brainchild of French producer Ludovic Navarre) has become a respected benchmark on the international music scene. Predating other French talents such as Daft Punk, Air and Dimitri From Paris, St. Germain’s influence is clearly audible in those artists’ work as well. PIAS America continue to unearth the classic gems of electronic music with the timely issue of St. Germain’s "Boulevard, new version the complete series". Never before released in the United States, Boulevard finds smoldering jazz vibes nestled amidst lush dance rhythms in an un-self-consciously eclectic album with tremendous crossover potential.

Before St. Germain caught the ear of legendary American jazz label Blue Note, which led to the 2000 release of the album Tourist and a string of sold-out shows across the U.S., Navarre was an innovator within the electronic music scene (with St. Germain and several other aliases). His early releases on France’s respected F Communications label (run by another great French talent, Laurent Garnier) did more to put Paris on the international map than any of his predecessors. No other artist in recent history has garnered such acceptance across wide musical boundaries, leapfrogging from discerning house music lovers to ardent jazz enthusiasts with effortless motion. Billboard named St. Germain their "Top Contemporary Jazz Artist" and Tourist their "Top Contemporary Jazz Album" of 2001, while the album appeared on countless "best of" playlists from the world’s top DJs.

Originally released in 1995, Boulevard sold over 300,000 copies worldwide, was elected Record of the Year in England and served as a cornerstone for a legion of artists and producers interested in trying to capture its elusive and sexy grooves. Boulevard, new version the complete series includes two special extra songs, including the rare early hit "Alabama Blues," both taken from 1999’s From Detroit to St. Germain, a compilation of cuts recorded over seven years.

While much electronic music seemingly comes with an expiration date and built-in obsolescence, the sound of St. Germain is enduring and undoubtedly takes a cue from the jazz masters in terms of longevity. Here is a choice opportunity to take a listen to the rich backstory of an artist with no signs of slowing down in the future.

Product Description

Originally released in 1995, Boulevard sold over 300,000 copies worldwide, was elected Record of the Year in England and served as a cornerstone for a legion of artists and producers interested in trying to capture its elusive and sexy grooves. Boulevard, new version the complete series includes two special extra songs, including the rare early hit "Alabama Blues," both taken from 1999’s From Detroit to St. Germain, a compilation of cuts recorded over seven years.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new version for what is the standard of Paris Jazz House, July 13, 2002

By 

diro (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boulevard: New Version-Complete Series (Audio CD)

Despite the acclaim and exposure which 2000's 'Tourist' provided to St. Germain, to his loyal followers that was only a mainstream acknowledgment of what they've known all along: Germain has mad skills and his place in practically founding the "French Touch" sound of dub/house/jazz/blues was cemented many years prior with the 1995 release of his 'Boulevard - The Complete Series' album.

I believe that the track listing as provided by Amazon.com may be incorrect for this 2002 reissue and it appears they have accidentally displayed the track listing of the 95 version instead. If so, here is the corrected listing.

1. Deep In It
2. Street Scene (4 Shazz)
3. Sentimental Mood
4. What's New?
5. Dub Experience II
6. Forget It
7. Soul Salsa Soul
8. Alabama Blues (Todd Edwards Vocal Mix)

The inclusion of the tracks "Soul Salsa Soul"[7] and "Alabama Blues (Todd Edwards Vocal Mix)"[8] allow the listener to experience some of Germain's earlier recordings. (For a compilation of other Germain B-side-like recordings see 'From Detroit to St. Germain') It was in Germain's early recording years where he began to exude the vibe of his "French" style. It was as his music needed to mature, but you could see the brilliance in strong flashes. It is these two tracks which make this version of Boulevard positively more upbeat compared to its original version. The older version of 'Boulevard' had a decidedly more Blues and Jazz taste.

"Soul Salsa Soul" is a great booty-shaking, latin-house track. "Alabama Blues", given the Todd Edwards flavor, is suitable for inclusion in a dance-hall set. Jazz-based with subtle house rhythms, Miles Davis would be proud if he heard "Street Scene". "Deep In It" may be the song which served as the lynchpin in defining Germain's "french touch" style. If there is one primary fault of this 2002 reissue, it is the exclusion of "Easy to Remember"; I was surprised that the record label couldn't stretch out one more additional track.

Moving in stereo,
-Daz

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE FIRST SHOT FIRED IN THE NEW COOL, July 20, 2003

By 

Steven Meyers (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boulevard: New Version-Complete Series (Audio CD)

This is the hippest, coolest, jazziest of the 21st century. A new genre of jazz, HOUSE JAZZ. Chillin jazz is right here for your listening and laid back pleasure. This is chill music jazz. The songs are hypnotic beats, very underplayed, with full jszz improvisation. This is not light jazz, believe me. It's jazz over house beats. One song even starts off paying tribute to the world wide DJ's of house. It is jazz, house, dub. That's the best way to define what this listen is. If you're a bebop purist, stay away. But if you really understand jazz this is your place to be. Jazz is about innovation and improvisation. New stuff. Let's leave the past behind. Always moving ahead. Miles would be proud. The first shot fired in the 21st. century cool revolution.

5.0 out of 5 stars St Germain, December 1, 2011

By 

YvetteMichele - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boulevard: New Version-Complete Series (Audio CD)

This item arrived faster than I thought and was the music I was looking for, I am enjoying the sound.