Beats and blends

Revisited
Blue Note
EMI

Blue Note Records is a jazz label founded in 1939. Out comes Blue Note’s Revisited, full of remixed jazz tunes from the past 65 years.

Having never heard of Blue Note, it was a pleasant surprise to be able to listen to the album twice through. It’s lounge music like Ministry of Sound’s Chillout albums, but jazzier. A great listen.

Chillout Session 5
Ministry of Sound
EMI

Want a winter warmer? Ministry of Sound’s latest CD will help you chill out without making you cold.

This double album is all you’d expect from the band. Chillout Session 5 features a smooth blend of dance with a few favourite mainstream hits from the past year.

Rendezvous
In-Grid
Universal Records

Tu Es Foutu – You Promised Me has been a dance hit in Australia, made more popular with its appearance on the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy soundtrack.

Rendezvous is a fabulously Europop drenched CD, full of beautifully French songs.

It’s fun, light and great for background music – or a dance club.

Parade
My Friend the Chocolate Cake
EMI

Remember My Friend the Chocolate Cake from the mid-1990s?

How they were fairly popular on Triple J, but then faded away?

They’re back on Parade with their old favourites, such as Song From Under the Floorboards and I’ve Got a Plan, as well as a few new ones.

It’s a nice mellow CD that will take you back.

Phoenix
Alphabetical
EMI

Modern-pop is the way Phoenix is described.

Never having heard the band Alphabetical before, I was quick to throw it on and have a listen.

They have a smooth gentle sound and way too many catchy beats. This is a great CD.

Split the Difference
Gomez
Virgin Records

If you’re a Gomez fan, it’s unlikely you’ll hate this album.

They can’t put a foot wrong and Split the Difference is a continuation along the Brit rock’n’Gomez-style highway to the stars. It’s full of solid tunes with a special something that makes Gomez delightfully fresh. Two thumbs up.

– Lt Simone Heyer