Paris Lounge, Vol. 2

This two-CD collection is largely a summation of the Paris electronic scene -- one volume the sunnier by day, the other a more down-tempo midnight volume. In many ways, it's the former which is more successful and textured, whether it's the electro-pop of Etienne de Crecy or the rainy feel of Variety Lab's "London in the Rain." "Paris by Night" is, as you'd expect, louder and busier, and at times just plain annoying, like "Police Funk," which offers a great idea that never really develops, or Temple of Sound's "Dojo Hun," which has some great grooves to it, but again, seems unfinished. Pride of place on the entire compilation, though, has to go to Brady's version of the traditional spiritual "Motherless Child," which captures the real feel of the song while pushing it into a new place, and Zimpala's infectious "Sugar." But overall, this is a good collection, with enough to cover all moods and feelings.