ETIENNE JAUMET
Night Music
VERCD021
Versatile Records 2009
05 Tracks. 45mins35secs

Amazon UK: CD | LP | DLD Amazon US: CD | DLD Boomkat: CD iTunes: DLD

Over-marketing is a dangerous thing, and it is definitely something Versatile Record have fallen foul of. Etienne Jaumet’s debut solo album, Night Music, was ‘directed and imagined’ (that’s produced and mix to you and me) by Carl Craig, and the fact is shamelessly plastered all over a giant sticker in much bigger letters than those spelling Jaumet’s name. The presence of such legendary producer on a record is indeed something to be noted, but when it becomes the main focal commercial point, expectations are raised and can only be disappointed. As it happens, once this pointless act of soliciting is overcome, Night Music is actually a pretty fine record which doesn’t need to be sold for something it isn’t.

Before stepping out on his own, Paris-based musician Etienne Jaumet was one half of Zombie Zombie, a formation offering a somewhat cheesy blend of Krautrock and horror movie soundtrack elements. Night Music fortunately forgets this unsavoury concoction almost entirely and focuses instead of ambitious settings and expansive soundscapes. Continue Reading »