Hotel Costes V. 6

This is my first Hotel Costes album. After listening to it I reviewed online the other numbered albums by the same producer, and I have to say #6 is my favorite, it is the right mix with the right transition between tracks and to date the only Hotel Costes I own. A friend had the CD sitting on his desk and I borrowed it, and I was reluctant to give it back, so I ordered it. I enjoy the variety of the compositions, the haunting yet soothing voices, and the technical rhythm instruments used throughout. I was in a San Francisco Thai restaurant earlier this week and they had it playing as well, offered me a sense of familiarity. My first impression was that it is the sound track I might here in a "W" restaurant lounge or bar, hip and easy to enjoy. Great while driving, could be used to work out with too.

Here in LA this stuff fits but its not from here. Just like everybody that lives here. It's from somewhere else that's a bit of a mystery.

Great CD. I wanted her entire Hotel Costes collection, which used to be sold as a box set on Amazon, but I guess I'll just have to go back to FNAC in Paris to get it!!!

First off, I love all the Hotel Costes collections. The running theme throughout this collection of songs is collective cool. Soulful drifts of music begin with Slow Trains hipnotic "In The Black of Night" that leads into another groove on Stigmato Inc.'s "Rality Check" that is full of jazzy intonations and melodic transcendence. The songs weave together like a world music tapestry, one song flowing into the next to be suddennly transported into a bandeon driven electronic groove as in "Metropolitan." The seemless musical odyssey is a non-stop-after- hours-party-groove.Sometimes it is hard to tell when one songs ends and another begins; only after many listens will you be able to discern where different songs begin and end. Even when Tosca lends its dub tones to the mix it still feels like one continium."Morenita" is a bossa nova induced laid back song that Stephanne Pompougnac does a masterful job bringing to life. The transition songs, as I call them, where the tempo shifts to more downtempo or upbeat is a brilliant bit of cohesive production.Many of the songs feature female vocalists stepping out from behind retro disco like beats that have been modernized, displaying echo and reverb and other effects for the electronica fan. The vocals create a breezy sound that is downright sexy. Rarely do the songs become repititious , with possibly the exception of "The Breeze is Black" where drone like poetic vocals mix with Latin flavored jazz piano. Not quite pure downtempo but driven enough to keep you working hard in the gym this music is not to be missed. Whether dancing, working out or just chillin on a drive this is some cool music you need to brighten your day.

This is a CD that surpassed my expectations. No wierd songs, just easylistening and up-beat song. You wont fall asleep with it.
I have it as a permanent CD in my car.