Esquisses (1996) by Dimitri From Paris is a hidden gem from the French house and lounge pioneer, featuring early sketches, remixes, and deep cuts
This compilation captures Dimitri’s experimental roots and stylistic explorations before his rise to fame with disco-infused hits, offering a refined blend of jazz, funk, and bossa nova influences. Esquisses in an opening for Sacrebleu, his huge succes and so stylish Album ! In the place for years now, Dimitri From Paris is one of the most prolific french producer, specialised in remix ? Just get a look on his discography then you will understand ! But he also did very commercials productions, specially with a french comic tv man ! In the record release, he sampled Lil Louis French Kiss, I heard he said that there is now prescription of years and that he could buy his own flat in Paris with the money… Anyway, he also want to party at the Playboy Mansion and for that everybody forgive him all the past !
Few Words about the Record
Esquisses showcases Dimitri’s eclectic style, blending elements of jazz, funk, and bossa nova with early house influences. Rather than delivering dance-floor anthems, the album leans into a lounge vibe, with smooth, groove-heavy rhythms and a laid-back atmosphere that feels intimate. Dimitri’s touch here is subtle, favoring refined, jazz-inflected beats and understated electronica over high-energy club sounds. The tracks on Esquisses are warm and organic, featuring soulful samples, brass instrumentation, and rich textures that make each piece feel cinematic. The production is meticulously crafted, with each element thoughtfully layered to create a sophisticated soundscape.
Dimitri’s careful sampling and arrangement evoke a relaxed, cosmopolitan feel, ideal for easy listening but still captivating enough to hold attention. Esquisses was somewhat overshadowed by Dimitri’s later, more polished albums like Sacrebleu, but it remains an essential listen for fans interested in the roots of French lounge and house music. This album captures a rawer, more experimental side of Dimitri, showing his foundational style that would later flourish. Its influence can be felt in the nu-jazz and lounge movements that gained popularity in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
