A Reminiscent Drive - Mercy Street (1997 F-Communication)

Since my first A Reminiscent Drive post some 15 months ago I received over 100 requests to post the full album. You know I'm mostly happy to oblige and still I was somehow reluctant to let this one go. Or should I say jealous? The thing is, I used to fall asleep while listening to Mercy Street for years and I still think it's one of the the best electronic albums of the 90's. I believe that some albums are equivalent to satori, the music just pours out of the musician independent on his will. Just listen to other Jay Alanski's works and you will find nothing comparable to Mercy Street. I'm not going to write any passionate review, don't worry. Suffice to say it's so good I own two copies (and I still prefer the worn out minimalistic cardboard promo edition, see below). I said it before and I say it again: I envy anyone who will listen to this album for the first time.

 

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Réminiscence Quartet - Psycodelico (1995 Yellow Productions)

Réminiscence Quartet was a side project of Christophe Le Friant AKA Chris The French Kiss and I can't help seeing it as the first step from the abstract world of The Mighty Bop on his way to become Bob Sinclar. These 10 cool latin flavoured tunes still work well today as they had 15 years ago. The title track Psycodelico is still sure shot floor filler and the smoky voice of Salome de Bahia is just awesome. Btw I saw her perform live once, 1998 or so, and she was all you would expect - a full-blooded Vanessa Del Rio-type diva half naked under a boa so enormous it must've been visible from space ;-)

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The Mighty Bop - La Vague Sensorielle (1995 Yellow Productions)

Let's continue ze french excursion with some more Yellow Productions. The legendary label was founded in 1993 by DJ Chris (The French Kiss), DJ Yellow and DJ Cutee B AKA The Mighty Bop. Their first album La Vague Sensorielle contains 10 tracks of laid back jazzy grooves mostly from their first two 12''s and makes perfect soundtrack for lazy autumn weekends.

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Bang Bang - Je T'aime Je T'aime (1999 Yellow Productions)

In 1998, it was obvious that Xavier Jamaux is the more prolific half of Ollano project. The Bang Bang debut album Je T'aime Je T'aime was dressed for success. This fragile collection of cool melancholia with guest vocals by Jay-Jay Johanson or Garry Christian (remember The Christians?) was set to become Album Of The Year.. but it all happened before Air went on Moon Safari. And whatever happened to Marc Collin, the other half of Ollano? Haven't you heard of Nouvelle Vague?


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Ollano - Ollano (1996 Artefact)

Charismatic female vocal and dark jazz arrangements were always a perfect recipe for success. In the 90's we used to call it trip hop and Ollano are the most perfect example... that didn't really work out. Their eponymous debut album hasn't stirred much attention outside France, and Marc Collin and Xavier Jamaux had to wait for the 1998 US re-release. Could have been because the hit single Latitudes wasn't such a hit after all. My favs are still Antipodes and the instrumenal jam La Couleur.

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Kid Loco - A Grand Love Story (1997 Yellow Productions)

Remember Bouge De La? Flat Beat? Music Sounds Better With You? Since the media hype of french hip hop and french disco, ze french electronic scene had produced a cornucopia of great projects, from (A)lexkid to (Z)dar. Some of them so short-lived they didn't bother to name them properly, some still up and running like Kid Loco.
Although Jean-Yves Prieur released three other albums and a handful of compilations since his debut album, A Grand Love Story will surely be mentioned in bold lettering in 2030 edition of Rare Groove Encyclopaedia. I must admit that ever since I've first heard the Benson-esque guitar riff of Relaxin' With Cherry, I always had a passion for this little collection of great downtempo tracks and I envy anyone who will hear it for the first time on this blog today.

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Back with a Bit of Shameless Self Promotion

Due to popular request this now cold desert will bloom again. I promise. Again.

I'm sorry I couldn't deliver the September batch of albums (see the next post), but there have been many changes in my life and suddenly I had to deal with painful personal issues and that switched me into pure defense mode. Result: the whole idea of blogging seemed very very far away. I know it's not an excuse, just an explanation.

Another but more pleasant reason that kept me from posting - I decided to get back to deejaing for a while and play weekly After Hours sessions in newly opened chill out lounge in Prague. I've put together a couple of promo mixes showcasing mostly my selection of very recent breakbeats. These two mixtapes should also answer one of your FAQs - do I listen to new music or has my musical taste faded after 2000? Well, it's up to you to decide. I look forward to reading your wise words of kind criticism.