Pedestal 08/Mixtape 10: Stéphane Pompougnac Et L'Hôtel Costes

Perhaps my favorite compilation series, the Hôtel Costes albums set the standard for chilled, lounge-based electronica with their yearly releases. Compiled by now-famous French DJ Stéphane Pompougnac, the records are released to mirror the classy sounds handpicked by Pompougnac and others to soundtrack the posh, world-famous Costes in central Paris. Starting out as a small venture on an unknown independent label, the reputation and audience for the compilation series has grown exponentially in the few years they've been coming out. The series now stands at ten albums and one "best-of" release featuring choice cuts from the first seven. Of course, much of their success is down to the musical genius of compiler Pompougnac, who somehow manages to find exceptional tracks from completely unknown artists for the albums year after year. That's not to discount his own musical output, which includes several tracks featured on the discs as well as two solo albums. This post is a big tribute to the man who's given downtempo electronica a new face and edge, so check out some of my personal favorites, along with a few oddities in place of some more obvious picks (Pink Martini, Louie Austen, etc.), from across the entire range of the Hôtel Costes catalog. For beginners, the best-of is a good place to start, while volumes 4, 8 and 9 are also essential ventures in the genre. The next in the series, volume 11, is due out September 28, so expect a big furor over that release as it arrives on shelves and in my music library.

PS: The playlist is excellent listening for a trip to an art museum. I just tried it out while stranded in New York City at the MOMA, and it is the perfect soundtrack to a classy day!

1. Slow Train, “In The Black Of Night” [YSI] (from volume 6)
2. Stéphane Pompougnac, “Closer To Julie” [YSI] (from volume 4)
3. The Method, “I’ve Got A Cat” [YSI] (from volume 4)
4. Stéphane Pompougnac Feat. Charles Schillings, “Sunday Drive” (Remix) [YSI] (from volume 10)
5. Jehro, “All I Want” [YSI] (from volume 9)
6. Stéphane Pompougnac Feat. Varano & Tiger Lily, “Better Days” [YSI] (from Hello Mademoiselle)
7. Shirley Bassey, “Where Do I Begin” (Awayteam Mix) [YSI] (from volume 3)
8. Ralph Myerz And The Jack Herren Band, “Think Twice” [YSI] (from volume 8)
9. Stéphane Pompougnac, “Last Night” [YSI] (from Hello Mademoiselle)
10. Michael Mayer, “Lovefood” [YSI] (from volume 8)
11. Jon Cutler Feat. E-Man, “It’s Yours” (Jon’s B-Side Breakdown Mix) [YSI] (from volume 4)
12. Stéphane Pompougnac Feat. Clémentine, “Morenito” (Bossa Mix) [YSI] (from volume 6)
13. Doctor Rockit, “Café De Flore” (Charles Webster’s Latin Lovers Mix) [YSI] (from volume 4)
14. Laidback, “Happy Dreamer” (Happy Horse Mix) [YSI] (from volume 10)
15. Paul & Price with Todd Ivy, “Little White Roses” [YSI] (from volume 9)
16. Fantastic Plastic Machine, "Steppin’ Out" (Costes Re-Edit) [YSI] (from volume 5)

***Note: Links removed***

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