Afterdark: Paris

The cross-pollination of Afro-beat-tinged lounge, funk and soul is what has evolved most in Paris and also gives the scene an enormous level of authority. In-the-know labels like Faya Combo and Yellow Productions along with world-renowned clubs like Respect, Rex Club and La Palace have ensured that Paris’ sultry sounds have reverberated across the world’s urban landscape. You can hardly mention Paris without stating the culturally obvious: they have a passion for everything beautiful. This adoration has infiltrated their sound, style and after-hour landscape with a sexiness that defies genre and speaks to all. Which is why we chose Serial Records and Versatile Records of the city of Paris to celebrate this love for house music and everything sexy and passionate it brings out of us. These imprints’ sounds are epitomized by artists like Soldiers Of Twilight, Demon Ritchie, Rork (Serial); and I:Cube and Gilb’r (Versatile). Not since Dimitri played host to a few provocative Playboy Mansion compilations has French citizenship been more alluring. I know where I’ll be playing this, but it’s a private affair.