Customer Reviews

St Germain Des Pres Cafe 3

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

 

 

First, I want to say that this is NOT the Saint Germain artist that brought the album Boulevard and Tourist to the table. This is a compilation of some rare jazz cuts remixed by some exceptional dj's and given the sort of spin and flavor that you would expect from the jazz district of Paris, Saint Germain.

Also, if you are a fan of Saint Germain (the artist), you will still want to pick this up. The style of this cd is actually reminiscent of Tourist. Some nice jazzy beats, soulful sax's and instruments and pinpointed producing make this one of my all time favorite comps. The flow of the tracks is very smooth and even if you are not hearing it in a cafe, you can see a story unfold with yourself in it, sipping a cup of coffee, and looking around at all of the "beautiful" people.

This is good music. I can't really say enough about it. As for the artists - the CD starts out with a great Remix of Nuspirit Helsinki's "Trying", and then is followed up seamlessly by two Nicola Conte remixes - one of Truby Trio's "High Jazz" (previously only released on Vinyl) and the other of the sexy cut "Quiet Night". The cd doesn't lower steam after the impressive intro that sets the mood. You have DJ Cam kickin' in a track of his own, Llorca pumping shortly after and De-Phazz down the line.

The CD takes youon a journey of different styles, letting you off wherever you want to get off. Well done!

So if you're a fan of the artist Saint Germain, you'll definitely want to get this and maybe find a few other artists you'd like (like Nicola Conte remixes). But if you're looking for something like Hotel Costes, I wouldn't recommend this. This is definitely more jazzy. Conversely if you have Paris Lounge 1, and your favorite track was the Reminiscent Quartet cut on the second CD, this is definitely for you! Do note though: Wagram is the label that releases this series, and that label also released Hotel Costes, Paris/Berlin Lounge series, Nueva Bossa Nova, etc. Enjoy!

I was browsing through the downtempo section of a record shop, and I stumbled upon this, the third installment of the "Saint Germain Des Pres Cafe" series. I was pleasantly surprised to have found a third collection on the shelves, as I really loved the last 2 volumes. While I can't say I was blown away as I was with the first 2 discs, I'm impressed with the third one enough to recommend it. As with the last 2 discs, we get a pretty good dose of jazz set to house, downtempo, and electronic beats. It's an all-purpose disc: mellow enough for a dinner party, but also groovilicious enough to make you dance. Those who cringe at the idea of old-school jazz set to dance beats will reconsider when they hear cuts like "Quiet Night" by Infracom Presents, "Ping Pong" by Big Bang and the ultrasmooth "Summertime" by Patchworks. Those who favor a little disco flava will tap their toes to Llorca's "The Novel Sound," while we get some nice soulful female vocals and crisp horn playing in the mellowed-out "Take Me Higher" by Fertile Ground. The third installment of this cafe series didn't disappoint me, and anyone who bought the last 2 discs should definitely grab this one.

Probably deserves a 3.5 stars on my rating scale.

There are some really great tracks here, mixed in with some forgettable ones. Standout tracks include Kool Bavaria, an amazingly smooth french jazz exploration that manages to surprise, and Channel Zero, a wonderful chord progression with well-chosen vocal melody and surrealistic poetic lyrics. (I disagree with previous reviewer about this track... I scratched my head and then decided it was great!)

Disappointments include dull bossa number "Quiet Night" (where is Amon Tobin to do bossa when you need him?) and the soulless and, sadly, MIDI-programmed rendition of "Summertime".

Want to land your own café-chic compilation deal? The path - so it seems - is to spin records at a fancy French hotel, or create a fashionably agreeable artist album of your own that quietly sells a few million copies. Hence St. Germain, his highly successful Tourist, and now his (at least) fourth mix disc in the last three years.

Café 3, monikered electro-jazz but essentially the nu-jazz dance sound, breezes through seventeen tastefully upbeat records, none more so than Nuspirit Helsinki's "Trying," live drums and bass strings in harmony with deft lyrics and lead singer. Equally astute are Truby Trio's modern swing "High Jazz," aptly-named Big Bang's airing out "Ping Pong," Patchwork's quaintly restrained keyboard number "Summertime," and Llorca's spoken word "The Novel Sound." He's even worked in the Can 7 ditty "Sing It Back," one last reason to sit through that ragged Moloko tune one more time.

A few missteps arise - Nicole Conte's by-the-numbers bossafication of "Quiet Night," and the head scratching "Channel Zero," but Café 3 succeeds by adhering to the blueprint of quality, energetic jazz records, thankfully avoiding the ever-present temptation of cooing French vocals, chirpy bossa, and novelty charm.

I would wholeheartedly recommend purchasing all three of these excellent compilations. This latest is definitely as good as the first two and encompasses the truly cool sound of Paris acid jazz.

This CD goes in that lil' hip section that's jazzy, electronic, and has a deep bossanova vibe to it. Perfect for that long flight from LA to Paris. Some my fav's are Trüby Trio, Patchworks, Infracom!, and the best one Hardkandy!

This is one of those discs you can put on and let it run from start to finish. I have 2 others from this series and it's the kind of music I like for a lazy weekend morning.

Saint Germain des Pres Cafe Version #3 is one of the most eclectic and addictive CD's I've heard. Mix of classic jazz samples fused with electronica and smooth-as-silk vocals is instantaneously addicitive. This Nu-jazz CD is audio heroin.

NuSpirit Helsinki's delicious 'Trying' is both beat-deep and lyrical poetry. Infracom's soothing 'Quiet Night' carries an addictive Bossa-nova beat to a neat and very cathchy song. DJ Cam's 'Un Ete a Paris' is a beast of a cut; scat drumming and waist-high bass beats. This song is off the chain! Llorca's 'The Novel Sound' and Variety Lab's 'R.Bevor' keep the high-tempo electro-jazz beats buzzing. Vocal kudos go to Fertile Ground's 'Take Me Higher'. Wow, this woman's got pipes! Beautiful song!

Anyone tinkering with the Nu-jazz sound should look no futher than this CD to feed the need. Catchy beats deep with classic jazz samples combined into a seriously listenable CD all around.

This ones a B-U-Y!

-Steve

I'm feeling generous with words tonight, which in no way means I exaggerate. The reason I love this CD is because of "Moonlight" (let it creep up on you) and Variety Lab's "B Vor." Two tracks this good will empty my wallet, and the rest won't do you harm.

P.S. Not featured here in their best by any means, but De-Phazz are the ticket if you like slightly teched-up jazz/blues. Listen to "No Jive," Better Now" and the racy "Trash Box". Ouch! (as good as it gets)