Dimitri From Paris Biography
Compared to his cohorts in the new wave of French dance music, Dimitri from Paris looks much farther afield for his influences. While both Air and Daft Punk make much of their affection for the music of the 1970s (prog and disco, respectively), Monsieur Dimitri's inspiration comes from the Continental jet-setting faux-jazz of the 1950s and early '60s (exemplified by Dick Hyman, John Barry, and Martin Denny), though the whole is updated by his long years of experience as a house DJ.
Based in France though he was born in Turkey, Dimitri entered the dance music community during the mid-'80s by DJing at the French Radio 7. By 1990, his reputation had allowed him to record soundtracks for fashion barons like Chanel, Lagerfeld, and Gaultier. He released two solo EPs during 1993-1994, plus the mini-LP Esquisses, and contributed to the Yellow Productions compilation La Yellow 357. He also remixed hundreds of artists, including Björk, the Brand New Heavies, New Order, James Brown, and Etienne Daho. Dimitri's debut album, Sacrebleu, appeared in late 1996, also on Yellow Productions. Named Album of the Year by MixMag, it sold several hundred thousand copies around the world and finally received an American release in early 1998. The 1997 mix album Monsieur Dimitri's De-Luxe House of Funk, however, showed the Frenchman coming back to his house roots. In lieu of a second production album, he mixed several more sets: ICU Session, Vol. 3, A Night at the Playboy Mansion, the BBE box set Disco Forever, and Super Disco Friends. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Canadian brass Biography: First emerging in 1970, the Canadian Brass went on to establish brass music and instruments as a newly vital force in classical performance. A quintet (longtime members included trumpeters Frederic...
Jacki o Biography: Miami rapper Jacki-O got her break in 2003 with the bawdy sex rap "Nookie," which garnered the MC comparisons to fellow Southern rappers Khia and Trina. Although it was the first time that many had...
Skanatra Biography: If the name of this Hoboken, NJ band sounds instantly familiar, the resemblance is completely intentional. Skanatra, an energetic 11-member ska band, came together for one primary purpose, to perform...
Underground resistance Biography: Underground Resistance is probably the most militantly political outcropping of modern urban American techno. Combining a grubby, four-track aesthetic, an almost strictly DIY business...
Cursed Biography: Not to be confused with a melodic, Doors-influenced New York City goth-rock outfit called Curse, Cursed is a Canadian hardcore band that is fronted by singer/lyricist Chris Colohan (who is well known...
Eurythmics Biography: Eurythmics were one of the most successful duos to emerge in the early '80s. Where most of their British synth pop contemporaries disappeared from the charts as soon as new wave faded away in 1984,...
Rare bird Biography: Rare Bird came together in October 1969 when organist Graham Field, keyboardist Dave Kaffinetti, drummer Mark Ashton, and vocalist Steve Gould envisioned a two-keyboard rock sound without guitars....
Curve Biography: Considering Curve's towering monolith of guitar noise, dance tracks, dark goth, and airy melodies, it's strange that their two core members -- guitarist Dean Garcia and vocalist Toni Halliday -- met...