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St.
Germain-
Tourist
September
12, 2000
Original Release Date: September 12, 2000
Pascal
Ohse/Trumpet, Edouard Labor/Sax, Flute, Alexandre Destrez/Keyboards,
Idrissa Diop/Talkin Drum, Carneiro/Percussions, Claudio
De Qeiroz/Baryton, Ludovic Navarre/Conductor
1. Rose Rouge 
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2. Montego Bay Spleen
3. So Flute
4. Land Of...
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5. Latin Note
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6. Sure Thing
7. Pont Des Arts
8. La Goutte D'Or
9. What You Think About...
Review
The "Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon" of jazz albums in 2000. If
I said Robert Walter's
"Money Shot" was the record of the
year, I take it back. This is. Indeed the conductor
Ludovic Navarre who came up with the concept
of this album, (like Anthony Wong, after five years
of hard work), is a true genius. He knows how to hit
listeners in the gut with fresh and novel musical ideas.
The nuance of this record is unprecedented, though its
success is not. This is my discovery, like the Buena
Vista Social Club theory I invented years ago,
I suspect many people are going to steal this promotion
of mine, and the sounds of St. Germain will be heard
in movies and TV shows, let alone fashion shows. I don't
mind. Good music must be heard, right?
This
album will have, if not already has, the impact of Herbie
Hancock's "Headhunters" in the 70's.
The French made this album, and Blue Note, the American
jazz empire, made it famous. People across the globe
will eventually hear this album and love it. So what
is this album musically? It's hard to describe - a blend
of jazzy sunds with electronic instruments and upbeat
renditions. Again, thanks to the genius of Navarre,
this album differentiates on its own, and is never boring.
The first song "Rose Rouge" sounds like a
Dave Brubeck on
acid. "Land of.." is what jazz in the 21st
century is all about - upbeat yet restrained.
If
you decide to throw a party at your house next time,
forget techno, house, club and dance music. Remember
St. Germain, and your friends will certainly think you
are cool. And, you will definitely get pretty girls
to dance on your lap, I promise!
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