8/10 STEPHANE POMPOUGNAC – HOTEL COSTES 14 (WAGRAM)
This –  his 14th offering – is a little more edgy than his previous ones.

Raphael Gualazzi’s Reality & Fantasy and Elitsa by Tosca get things started at a slightly uncomfortable pace, but the DJ quickly slows things down to a more familiar and dreamy speed. Pompougnac shows his versatility as he stretches the boundaries, especially on Blackbird Song by Duptribe featuring Ben Cocks and Boozoo Bajou’s YMA.

Had it not for them being bundled up with other more bona fide lounge tunes, like the soulful I Found You On Facebook by Quarion, Ma Benz by Brigitte and Lisa Bassenge and the J-Chestra’s Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps, they probably would not have been considered smooth enough for the genre.

After 13 albums of similar-sounding compilations (in terms of tone), it may have been time for something  more risky.

Only time will tell whether or not fans will go for this unconventional new approach. – SM