Customer Reviews

Boulevard: New Version-Complete Series

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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

I 1st heard these recordings in a coffee shop in Amsterdam & bought the CD when I got home.

It makes great for background music at a party.

Not for head bangers!

St. Germain is awesome. This album is more mellow than their next. Worth a spin on a mellow evening with cocktails.

Good CD. This is my 2nd CD by this artist. As I enjoyed the first one, I took a chance on this one, which I have enjoyed even more.

This album was a bit disappointing. I listen to a lot of jazz, blues and electronica but I call this Musak (aural wallpaper). Spend your money instead on Glide by New York Eletric Piano or the new Metheny Mehldau album.

There are three good songs on this album: Deep In It, Street Scene, and Forget It. The rest of the tracks are filler. Alabama Blues is a good disco song, but it doesn't fit in with the rest of the slow-cool-jazz-groove thing on the rest of the disc.

Buy TOURIST instead.

Everytime music comes up as a subject in my dull conversations with pathetically blind people they always have to say that they like electronic music and jazz (actually they always say that they like all music generes, and eveyone knows everything is nothing) and when i ask who? they will always reply (in 98% of the cases) Ella Fitzgerald and St. Germain.

Now Ella I happen to like (in addition to many other jazz vocalists) but St. Germain's CD Boulevard is Just....Well.....PLAIN BOOoooORING.
My advice to those palin misguided geeks zombified by the media who enjoy the most predictible execution of this "relaxing blend" of cool jazz and house as a work of art to mention every time the words jazz and electeronica come to mind is GET INTERESTED!

I PITTY YOU! MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT MUSIC!

There are many great jazz artists out there! and a long list of electronic artists that make Air and St Germain sound like a commercial for hair conditioner.