Country : Canada Label : Marlow Genres and styles : Acid-Jazz / Groove / Instrumental Hip Hop / Orchestral Pop / Soundtrack Year : 2020

Les Paradis artificiels

· by Frédéric Cardin

Oh, did I have fun listening to Les Paradis artificiels by Cinephonic, the brand new project by Pierre Chrétien of Souljazz Orchestra and Slim Moore and the Mar-Kays. The guy, hailing from Ontario, is first pianist, vibraphonist, mellotronist and leader/composer.

All nine irresistibly groovy and mellowy tracks on the album are as many neo-vintage strolls through a certain kind of seductive French cinema music of the ’60s and ’70s. But not only! Chrétien brings in his own ingredients, of orchestral jazz, of colours and rhythmic swings that would have suited the likes of Isaac Hayes or Bobby Womack, and all that with circa big, fat, juicy instrumental hip-hop beats.

Of course, the pioneering inspirations in the genre are recognizable: Air, Cinematic Orchestra, Jocelyn Tellier, Saint Etienne. Les Paradis artificiels doesn’t reinvent the wheel of instrumental pop, but, when it works so well, why bother? In this case, it means playing it over and over, and just enjoy life!

Chrétien benefits from the services of two other great musicians, Robert Biesewig (Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah, Alchemist) and Marielle Rivard, percussionist brought from Souljazz Orchestra and the Mar-Kays. Concerning the orchestral arrangements, without any money for a real orchestra (thanks for nothing, Ontario Arts Council!), Chrétien played everything himself (strings on mellotron, and then flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, etc.)! Kudos and hats off for that!

Press play, and let it go on repeat the whole day! Be it while reading, contemplating the outside world on a rainy day, or going out for a walk or a quick jog through city streets. It works, whatever you’re doing, and it plunges you into a bewitching atmosphere with wonderfully evocative and imaginary panoramas.

Cinephonic’s Les Paradis artificiels, it’s like being the hero in your own personal movie.

Latest 360 Content

Transforming Hiroshima mon amour into contemporary opera: Christian Lapointe and Rosa Lind tell the story

Transforming Hiroshima mon amour into contemporary opera: Christian Lapointe and Rosa Lind tell the story

Sparks – MAD!

Sparks – MAD!

Peter Murphy – Silver Shade

Peter Murphy – Silver Shade

Ken Pomeroy – Cruel World

Ken Pomeroy – Cruel World

Art of the Line: Klangkarussell’s Euro Vision at SAT

Art of the Line: Klangkarussell’s Euro Vision at SAT

Centroamérica – a powerful docu-play about truth and connection in an age of distance and denial

Centroamérica – a powerful docu-play about truth and connection in an age of distance and denial

Lido Pimienta – La Belleza

Lido Pimienta – La Belleza

Tamir Barzilay – Phosphene Journal

Tamir Barzilay – Phosphene Journal

The best ‘’Candlelight concert‘’ ever.

The best ‘’Candlelight concert‘’ ever.

Men I Trust – Equus Caballus

Men I Trust – Equus Caballus

The Halluci Nation – Path of the Baby Face

The Halluci Nation – Path of the Baby Face

A lap steel guitar choir and an angel to end the Innovations en concert 24-25 season

A lap steel guitar choir and an angel to end the Innovations en concert 24-25 season

The OSM and Abel Selaocoe: Evenings When You’d Like to Stop Time

The OSM and Abel Selaocoe: Evenings When You’d Like to Stop Time

Reaching for the sky: Francis Choinière’s challenge to end his OPCM’s 10th season

Reaching for the sky: Francis Choinière’s challenge to end his OPCM’s 10th season

Piknic 3: A Little Bit of Everything Under the Sun

Piknic 3: A Little Bit of Everything Under the Sun

Cazzu – Latinaje

Cazzu – Latinaje

Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film

Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film

SMCQ | In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock

SMCQ | In memoriam Jocelyn Morlock

Abbey Road at Festival Classica

Abbey Road at Festival Classica

Mira Choquette – Hier encore

Mira Choquette – Hier encore

Jared Dunn; Anna Gorecka – Gorecki’s World of the Piano

Jared Dunn; Anna Gorecka – Gorecki’s World of the Piano

Cyrille Dubois; Tristan Raës – Dupont : The Complete Songs

Cyrille Dubois; Tristan Raës – Dupont : The Complete Songs

Subscribe to our newsletter