at a glance...

Hometown: Paris, France
First Recordings: 1994

Personnel:
Monsieur Dimitri -everything

Bands In The Family:
Bah Samba, Mecca Headz, Astrojazz, Originals, La Pregunta, Stetsasonic, Salome da Bahia, Atmosfear, Cerrone, Sunburst Band, Terry Hunter, Pascal Rioux featuring Mr. Day, Black Masses, Ashford and Simpson Björk, Brand New Heavies, Etienne Daho, Cassius, Air

Notes:
A deep admirer of classic disco and old-school dance genres, Dimitri began his training as a DJ by spinning his U.S. 12-inch imports at home and soon became one of the few pioneers of what would soon be called "bedroom culture." His first gig was for the European radio station CFM in 1985. In no time, Dimitri became both a producer and remixer, compiling a roster that would eventually include a diverse spectrum of acts ranging from New Order to James Brown. In 1994, he joined newly formed indie label Yellow Productions. Since then, Dimitri's body of work has included two EP's, a mini-LP, Esquisses and a number of contributions off Yellow compilations.

While Dimitri is France's most distinguished DJ, the last place you would expect to hear this album is in a club. And though Sacrebleu can be intimate at times, it can be too upbeat for any candlelight dinners. So what good is this album? Well, it's perfect for everything else. From cooking, to holding small soirees, to even washing your car, Sacrebleu is the ultimate in background music with a groove.

It is an album of '60s retro touches, immediately noticeable on the package design which echoes back to jazz albums of that era right down to the extensive text on the back cover. Flugelhorns also make occasional appearances, and no decent '60s pop album was ever caught dead without having at least one song with this instrument. "Dirty Larry" and "Un World Mysteriouse" are heavily representative of the European spy films of the '60s in the same way that United Future Organization and Propellerheads pay homage to that film genre.

Full-length tracks such as the giddy "Sacre Français" are alternated with short interludes like the lo-fi and soothing "Monsieur Dimitri Joue Du Stylophone" providing helpful balance and easy transitions. "Nothing To Lose" is a wispy night-club ballad done to the tune of Devo-like instrumentation. The more danceable songs include the bouncy "Le Moogy Reggae" and "Back In The Daze," a track that displays Dimitri's house roots.

Sacrebleu evokes curiosity since most DJ's, when making their debut LP, try to recreate the sounds and vibes that made them famous in the clubs. With Sacrebleu Dimitri shows that he is not like most DJ's, fashioning one of the few albums of this decade that truly deserves the simple term of "cool."

If you like Dimitri From Paris, check out:
Dimitri From Paris A Night At The Playboy Mansion
Etienne De Crecy Super Discount
Air Premiers Symptomes
Propellerheads Decksandrumsandrockandroll
United Future Organization 3rd Perspective
United Future Organization No Sound Is Too Taboo
Esquivel See It In

-- Miguel Concepcion