Customer Reviews

Hôtel Costes: Quatre

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'll admit that I'm a "late bloomer" to "Hotel Costes"--I didn't actually give the series a chance until I started reading the reviews and sampling certain volumes of the esteemed series. That being said, I bought Volume 4, aptly penned "Quatre", yesterday with the last few dollars I had in my pocket (money that was supposed to be alocated for gas until payday--HELP ME, SOMEONE!! It's obvious I have a major CD addiction.) Be that as it may, I am not at all disappointed in my purchase. In fact, in comparison to the other 2 Costes CDs I own (2 & 5), this one actually sounds the best. I thought it was going to be too "Latin" for me, but I was so wrong!! "Sous le Soleil" by The Major Boys with its laid-back Cuban rhythms is one of my favorite songs on "Quatre." Other noteworthy songs are those from phenom mixer Pompougnac himself, Dublex Inc., SlowSupreme, Thunderball and Orbient. The songs are perfectly mixed, melting into the other with the precision of a truly experienced DJ. The Costes series has become my all time favorite compilation CD set. Now, I must go and check my seat cushions for loose change or maybe I 'll go and trade in a few of my "whack" compilation CDs to get Volumes 1 & 3 of "Hotel Costes." There's obviously some subliminal messaging going on in those fancy-smancy Costes CD covers that's persuading me to go out and buy more of this stuff. Or perhaps it's just outstanding music and my avarice to want to hear more from Pompougnac.

Fed up with boring "chill out" and "electro-jazz" compilations that offer little more than instantly forgettable background music? Well, here's one that actually delivers something worth listening to. Opening with Variety Lab's wonderful "London in the Rain" it "wobbles" a bit over the next three perfectly acceptable tracks before embarking on a 45 minute sequence that's an amateur DJ's dream. Selection is everything and in this case Hotel Costes' Stephane Pompougnac gets it just right. Each track in this inspired seven track mix is highly distinctive but the trick is in the way he seamlessly integrates them while steadily building on their combined atmosphere. The end effect? Well it's "chilled" and it's "cool"... but above all it's interesting & exciting, two things which most of the huge number of "chill out" albums out there are not.

This is my best lounge-compilation that I own (I have 25+). Thumbs up to Pompougnac for finding these not so well-knowned bands. It should be mentioned that this lounge-cd is foremost uptempo, and therefore it is NOT a chillout album. Standout tracks:

#1: Variety Lab-London in the rain. A slow start for the compilation but still a grat song
#4: Duplex INC-Tango Forte. GREAT SONG. Heavy drums and bass. Some might recognize the beat witch Sugababes uses in their hit "Round round".
#11: Doctor Rockit-Cafe del flore. Great Parish inspired song.
#12: Gotan Project-EPOCA. Another song inspired by a parish street orchestra.

... P>This CD is a must-have for the loungelistener, who likes uptempo lounge to spice up the party. WARNING: THIS WILL MAKE YOUR HEAD NOD UNCONTROLABLE!!!!

I'm pretty new to the Euro "lounge" music scene. I heard St. Germain's Tourist last January (in Mexico) and have been searching for similar music ever since. It's great to listen to and as a Spinning instructor, great to ride to. Plus my fiance is making a cd for our very casual wedding. This is perfect upbeat, atmospheric music. I hear the first track (London in the Rain)and immediately want to start grooving around. The first few tracks of "Tango Forte" bring a smile to my face.

I picked this pleasant bite of funtime up on a fluke in search of something like Kruder and Dorfmeister, whom I enjoy so much. It struck me as sort of good but unremarkable on first spin, but darn, I'm playing the bejesus outta this thing now!

It's way uptown, quite soulful in spots, and quite enjoyable trance-funk-soul-house or whatever they are calling it this WEEK. "I've Got a Cat" is a standout (reminds me of all those chicks in LA who walk around with chihuahuas clutched against their breasts). Shantel's "Whatever" is one of the best post Rock-It funk electro tracks I've ever heard. Good for driving late at night, with more variation than your usual Van Dyk or Oakenfield thang. Now I'm curious about the three volumes that preceded this one. As the B's said "Good Stuff!!!"

Unlike other reviews of mine, in this case I can tell you nothing about the music style that on the disc, and the French DJ Stepahne Pompougnac, who is responsable for it. But on the other hand I don't need definitions to recognize a good music, so whatever its name is, this is a GOOD music! It's including elements of jazz, rock, latin rythms, house and more, and all in a gentle-softness-smoothy style, that catchs you from the first moment, like your favorite perfum and suite. This product is something unique, clean, calm, European, a fine contrast to the rap, [word] and all trash on the MTV and so. From the modelist on the front , the fashion she wears (Versache and more), the names of the artists, the languages, to the music itself, this is something else! I drove 1,500 km. in Canada, listening to the CD time and again and enjoyed every minute of it.

This is a very high quality collection from a DJ with a very experienced, discerning and tasteful ear. From the first listen, you know its a cut above many albums touting themselves as a cut above. The clutch covers a wide terrain : latin, french house, sexy downtempo, midtempo smooth, deep grooves. There is, in keeping with the rest of this series, a seasoning of cheese, a little grating [sic] on maybe 1-2 tracks. Nonetheless, its no deterrant to this fine meal. If you're burning a hole in your wallet looking for good music, plug it with this.

He did it again! The ultra-cool club/hôtel Costes in Paris,
and the DJ Stephane Pompougnac together makes a
perfect match. This time, the mix is a bit more edgy but
still very smooth and perfect for almost all occasions.
If this is the first time you listen to it, buy the three before
it too...it will bring your music selection to a new level!
Also take a look at the Amsterdam lounge "Supperclub"
with their compilations...awesome! (...)

Stéphane P has done it again! No question about it - this is my favorite in his series. It has a great mixture of house, jazz and latin music. Perfect for late gatherings if you need good background music for chilling out.

I'm really sorry I didn't get to visit Hotel Costes on a recent trip to Paris, I'd love to have seen Stephane in action having acquired all three of his gems quite recently. This fourth offering does not compromise on the quality of, often obscure, selections of fine downtempo. This compilation is a little more upbeat, more "house" than the others but in my opinion tighter and more consistent, less "shag music", more "dance" than before. Most people won't have heard of many of the artists Stephane introduces which makes you wonder where he gets his inspiration. Genius then. If you don't already have the other three I'd strongly recommend them all aswell.