Paris Under A Groove - Vol 1 [Original recording remastered]

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 28, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Newhouse
• ASIN: B000087N0H
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,116 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beats for dayz, March 25, 2003

By 

Jesse T. Wilson (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paris Under A Groove - Vol 1 (Audio CD)

I live in SF and bought a copy of this a couple of weeks ago. This is a great CD from start to finish. The opening track and the St. Germain track are truly treasures. The grooves at the end are excellent as well. I agree with the article above: this is a great CD for parties and driving. I put it on at a cocktail function people really liked the beats. The CD definitely brings on a chill atmosphere. I like hip-hop and jazz, and these artists in Paris are doing amazing things when combining the 2 genres. In short, you can't go wrong with this CD.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the new breed of compilations, August 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Paris Under A Groove - Vol 1 (Audio CD)

I purchased this compilation after I caught the album review in the august issue of Urb magazine. They gave praise to this new breed of french electronica artists that are making new funk, jazz and soul electronica. I have to say that there is more going on in Paris, (France) besides St Germain. Although the rare unreleased St Germain track is one of his slickest uptempo recordings with mainfloor intentions.

All these new artists bring their own new approach to electronica. I especially like the tracks from Kia, Terrasse Tranquille, Inckel, Florian, and The Bottle. All of the music is rich with jazz and funk. You can hear the live bass, organs and guitar lines on many of the tracks. Not only are these new artists innovative composers. But they are also solid musicians. I can only hope that some tour is created to give these musicians the opportunity to come to the states and blow our minds. Urb Magazine stated that this record involves artists that need more investigation. I definitely would like to hear more from these new cats in France.

I agree with the great review of the record. This album is at least an impressive 4 star production. It's perfect to set the mood of any party affair with soulful jazz, funk, and deep house electronica that is uncommon amongst all the electronica garbage that fills the record bins. Paris Under A Groove - 5 stars

51 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, but not exactly what I expected, August 24, 2004

By 

A. M. Rosen "lowlife arbiter of the highbrow" (Maryland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Paris Under A Groove - Vol 1 (Audio CD)

Before I offer my opinions on this album, I feel it is only fair to acknowledge that I am somewhat of a newbie in the genre of electro-Jazz, and the "French Touch" movement. Really nobody in my social circle listens to this type of music, aside from St. Germain's classic "Tourist," so basically all of my knowledge of these genres and their works are self-sought, for better or for worse. That being said, I have an extensive music taste, so at the very least, I can judge albums such as "Paris Under a Groove" purely on musical value--totally unencumbered by artistic expectations, label issues, and the like. In that sense, maybe I'm even more qualified to judge it. No big deal.
Anyway, I'm giving this album 4 stars. I think it is very good music, and continues in St. Germain's inspired "French Touch" style very much. But, I was expecting a bit more of a housey feel to the album, at least, something that could pump me up a little bit, you know, get the heart rate going, make me put on my boogie shoes. Afterall, the name is "Paris under a GROOVE." For the most part, this album did not groove me, baby. Track 8 is the most upbeat on the album, and it's a great track. But, I just wish someone could have given this album a quick kick in the ass. The "cocktails" (first 5 tracks) are very good, musically, in their own right, but, like I said before, feel the Paris groove style is a bit more funky, a bit more bassy, a bit more housey, than the beginning tracks. They seem more fitting on a purely lounge/downbeat album than this, but, hey, they still sound great. Also, contrary to the opinion of most of these producer's, I don't think St. Germaine's track, Prelusion, is by far his best song--I think this one is average, perhaps above average, at best. If you want good St. Germaine, get the song "Street Scene (4 Shazz)"--this is electro blues at its absolute finest.
In summary, this is a great album, and the songs are all very varied, showcasing a crossection of abilities and styles coming from the Paris electro jazz scene. But, if, you are looking for something a bit more spicier, to pump you up a bit more, you may want to look elsewhere.