VA - Mélodie En Soul Sol - Paris 70's (2002)

The rediscovery and re-accessing of 1960s and '70s soul, jazz, and R&B by modern-day electronica and other sample-driven music caused the proliferation of compilations designed around the styles and themes of the music. Many include evocative, stylized cover art with a retro-chic feel; most feature source recordings, electronicized updates of that material, or a mixture of the two. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult to discern the value of a particular collection — too often, it looks cooler than it actually is.
Melodie en Soul Sol falls somewhere in the middle ground of these compilations. Its particular angle is the 'underground' jazz and soul cabaret scene of the 1970s. Predominantly instrumental, it does include a few vocal tracks, most notably Nancy Holloway's 'Sand and Rain' (Holloway was an American ex-pat who found fame as a club performer in Paris). But most of the cuts have a familiar feel. Whether its jazzy soul; funky jazz; or a kitschy, groovy mixture of all genres, Melodie en Soul Sol's selections rarely rise above their redolent air and become anything more than period-specific background music. There are highlights, to be sure. Daniel Janin and J.C. Pierric's 'Red Lotus' is gauzy, flute-led number with a swanky electric piano breakdown. Similarly, Claude Visori's 'Punching Ball' is driven by organ and bongos. It's accomplished material, but it only furthers the periodic image that compilations like this are so adept at evoking. Fashionable trappings removed, Melodie en Soul Sol is simply an average to solid collection of soul and funky jazz recordings from the early '70s.