Customer Reviews

Paris Under A Groove - Vol 1

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

I recently picked this record up at the Virgin Mega store in times square. I agree with the other reviewers. This record has an amazing rare st germain track, and features completely new jazz, funk, soul and deep house material by new artists.

I have also bought some of the other compilations by Costes and Paris Lounge. However, none of these tracks are available on these other releases. There are many solid funky compositions on this new release. I especially like the great tracks "Battery Vox" by the Bottle and "Mantis" by Versus. They are very funky with strong bass lines. The track Affinitees is also a great nu jazz instrumental track. Soft jazz piano lurks beneath a soothing deep house bass line.

These artists are a welcome addition filling the void left since St Germain's Tourist was released in 2000. Paris Under A Groove worked nicely at a recent cocktail party I threw in Tribeca. I tried to find more information on this record searched and found a web site for this new label at www.newhouserecords.com

I also like this new cat from France, Florian. They published his picture on this web site.

I bought this album because of the album description. I think that this information and the review by Urb magazine clearly states what this album is all about.

I was not at all shocked when I received the CD. The music is clean and very funky with some live elements; and, it demonstrates the fusion of electronica, jazz, funk and trip- hop. These artists are indeed unique. In fact, I found this album to be a refreshing change of pace from many of the predictable electronica albums flooding the market these days.
I also have purchased St Germain's tourist and did not do so to hear French vocalists.

However, Paris Under a Groove does have some live vocals and some nice vocal sampling in English and French. All and all, the CD is a great entry point for anyone interested in learning about new French electronica and its various formats.

I bought this CD expecting the coolest, smoothest, sweetest EuroTrash grooves....I wasn't disappointed in the least...It's a sexy, funky, deep-house buzzzzzzzzz....I adore this CD especially when I am looking for something laidback and seductive.....The most awesome track on this album is "Mantis" by Versus.....

Exquisite *****

I bought this cd initially because I liked the title. It turned into a fabulous buy. Great for just sitting at home with a glass of wine, a few friends, and excellent conversation. The cd is funky with some groovy tunes that take you all over the world.

This is a CD without a bad track. It sounds well-made, classy, carefully chosen, etc. It's 2006 and it feels newer still with breathes of fresh starlit-lively dreamy Paris cityscape groove. It has a sort of a dance-oriented, upmood Airy accent but differently French too (maybe a bit more mainstreamably-listenable).

I love this CD. I don't skip any tracks and find myself hitting the repeat button.

First, let me admit my bias: I'm searching for that fusion of Jazz and Electronica that actually demands attention from its listeners. This is hard to come by; mostly, "jazztronica" collections tend toward chill and background music.

Which brings me to this album. The St. Germain track "Prelusion" is worth the price of admission, primarily because of the strange snake-y bleeps-and-bloops that swirl around the more standard drums 'n pads. I also dig the So Daft rmx., a solidly funky electronic display that reminds me a bit of Telemetry Orchestra and the Sydney electro movement.

But then there are also tracks like the dissappointing "Torch Tatami Blues" -- not much happens here, and the beat loop (which stays relatively constant throughout) is clearly ripped directly and used without alteration from Bill Laswell's Oscillations, Vol. 2. Hrm.