ST GERMAIN
Tourist (Blue Note)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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By now "Rose Rouge" should be sweeping the nation. The opening salvo by sound manipulator St (where's the damn period?) Germain (aka Ludovic Navarre) is about the tastiest bit of looped up cool jazz since US3 rehurled "Cantaloupe" unto the dance floor. Supa fine cymbal resonance, a delicious mute trumpet solo, some "Take Five" piano chops and the golden voice of Marlena Shaw stuck on repeat, forms an irresistible spell all will gladly succumb to. No way to top that incendiary track, and the rest of the album suffers for it. Though if ya ride it out, there are some fine, if more subtle moments in what is generally a thumping dance record. "Sure Thing" for example, where the overlooked Miles Davis/Johnny Lee Hooker collaboration "Harry's Philosophy" is unearthed to excellent use. Another history lesson on the importance of jazz, most of which remains sadly overlooked.

© 2000 - John Sekerka