Panamerican

Klement Julienne | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 13, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Dreyfus
• ASIN: B0002ABT6M
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,365 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Klément Julienne is the brilliant programming/production/writing team of David Dahan and Joseph Guigui. Together, they create irresistible music – smooth, eclectic dance grooves with infectious hooks - balanced with sensuous vocals and the dynamics that only live bass, guitar, keys, horns and percussion could provide. Utilizing unique production techniques with exquisite results, the pair has concocted a cosmopolitan, jazz-influenced soundscape on their full-length debut. The appropriately titled Panamerican is a confident and stylistic confection that gleefully traverses boundaries both musical and geographical.

In 2002, while still working on their debut album, Klément Julienne received international recognition for their "Possoz Boogie" single after its prominent inclusion on the worldwide hit, Saint Germain Des Pres Cafe 2, a scene defining compilation. More recognition followed upon the inclusion of a new track "Mannix" on Le Maquis’ successful Lounge Story 2 compilation.

On their long-awaited debut, Panamerican, David Dahan and Joseph Guigui have reemerged with a refined sound that successfully encapsulates their musical mission. A one-hour vacation from a world too serious, the album pays tribute to the multifarious worlds of jazz and electronic music melding filmic Sixties jazz-pop, bossa nova, easy listening ‘loungecore,’ samba, calypso, blues, electronic downbeats and a hint of exotica into a gently simmering musical gumbo.

For the recording, Dahan and Guigui assembled a group of Europe’s finest young jazz musicians and vocalists (including noted Jamaican "roots man" Stanley Beckford). By taking them out of their familiar jazz element and inviting them into Klément Julienne’s world of stylistic free association, the group ended up with hundreds of hours of inspired tracks that would be used as building blocks for the final product. After each live session, Dahan and Guigui would work into the night on the electronic assemblage and treatment of the tracks to make the final product. The result is a sumptuous set combining live dynamics and interplay with electronic innovation, revealing a boundless and fluid artistic statement.

Panamerican articulates a deceptively instinctive sound of enormous depth, intricacy and scope. From the opener "Martin," the group seduces you with delicious smoking grooves that blend blues and be-bop with the funky swagger of classic 60’s Motown. "Medicine Man," features the soulful vocals of Cathy Palvair and an updated jazz-pop groove, akin to classics by George Benson and Grover Washington Jr. Dueling trumpets lead the loungecore anthem "Possoz Boogie," which recalls works by Saint Germain and Koop. "Mannix" is another standout, with its vintage soul-jazz swing and heady production.

Other highlights from the 13-song set include: the hazy summer romance "Pamela" (where Martin Denny’s pastoral exotica intersects with Bent’s modern-meets-retro electronic innovation), the intoxicating "Roi De La Batt" (reminiscent of Mr. Scruff’s international signature hit "Get A Move On"), the Afro-Calypso-Samba shuffle "Furia A Bahia" and the bouncy ragga-infused jam "Jerko" (featuring Stanley Beckford’s commanding vocalizations).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Groovy Baby!, September 7, 2004

By 

B. Bowyer "OregonDuck" (EGF, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panamerican (Audio CD)

So I buy this CD on a whim - and it's not bad! Kinda like a 60's jetsetter's soundtrack. A few standout tracks from this are "Jerko" - which has a nice beat to it and will make you want to groove a bit and "Mannix".

I would reccomend this to anyone who just wants to sit back, grab a mai tai and relax. The music is fun, bouncy, caribbean infused pop. This album doesn't have anything profound to say about the world, but then again it doesn't have to.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Furia A Bahia, October 17, 2008

By 

J. Lin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panamerican (Audio CD)

I bought this album after hearing Furia A Bahia. This is one of the most unique songs I have ever heard. You can put yourself in a bustling central american city (or even brasilian as the title suggests) on a morning that is just starting to warm up.. or late night on the town. The rest of the album is good also, but Furia A Bahia blows everything else out of the water. muy bien

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, September 30, 2004

By 

L. Jackson (ellenwood, georgia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panamerican (Audio CD)

I listened to this cd in a music store and fell in love with the whole album.Each track brings a different element,either making you dance or just chillng out while you fix a nice coctail.This cd is a must have for your collection.Great cd,through to the end.