CLUBBERS are partying into a slightly different mood from the usual frenzied electronica high when listening to the latest Dimitri from Paris smash compilation.
Double CD Return to the PlayboyMansion delivers the French DJ’s up-tempo retro re-mix trend started by the first two volumes of his Playboy series. Opening with crowded dance floor-pleaser Cosmic Girl by Jamiroquai, the Partytime disc reflects Dim’s finely tuned but eclectic taste in music.
Sexytime delves deeper into his leftfield tendencies. Inspired by the more raunchy antics of his global fan base, the debonair DJ stamped his smooth production style on 16 love tracks. What began as an “interesting idea” to include sensual slow melodies on the second CD spun into his all time favourite erotic Playboy set.
“A lot of people would come up and say, ‘I met my girlfriend thanks to your CDs; we made out the first time to your CDs; I made love to my girlfriend to your music’ and I thought it was funny because I didn’t really mean the music to create that sensual mood,” he told Soldier, adding that the re-mix market was dominated by fast house and dance with just a smattering of chillout.
“None of the CDs really feature love ballads and this is music that I really love. I never get a chance to play it in a club because it would not make the people dance but maybe do something else . . . I thought it was a great opportunity for me to showcase that music, which sort of made sense within the sort of Playboy sexual content.”
King of sexy music Barry White creates the loving mood with favourites Marvin Gaye and Teddy Pendergrass setting the scene for some serious smooching sessions. London’s Ministry of Sound got the first UK kiss of Sexytime last month at the maestro’s exclusive playback of Return to the Playboy Mansion.
“The MoS has got a really nice sound system and the better the sound system the more chances you have to sneak in music that is a little bit leftfield. My primary objective as a DJ is to make sure everyone is enjoying the night. So, I have contemporary music injected with a couple of older things here and there that I usually rework at home and can include without breaking the flow.”
Born in Istanbul to Greek parents, the young Dimitris Yerasimos grew up in the French capital listening to his family’s classical music collection. His exploration into soul, funk and house influenced his ear to a diversity of artists from the Frank Sinatra-led Rat Pack to Icelandic icon Björk.
Changing his name to Dimitri from Paris – not to be confused with Dimitri from Dee Lite – the accomplished musician was recently honoured by his adopted country. He was one of the first artists in his field awarded the rank of Knight of the Arts and Letters – equivalent to the British OBE – for his musical labours of love.
It was a visit to the world famous Los Angeles pad that cast the lounging funk theme for Dim’s infamous A Night at the Playboy Mansion. Fans around the world couldn’t get enough so he treated them to After the Playboy Mansion.
But Dim stressed the honour was his when he found out Soldier music reviewer Lt Jim Berry, 1 R Irish, listened to the Playboy series as part of his rehabilitation from injuries sustained on Op Herrick. The young officer, who had his eye and brain pierced by shrapnel thrown from an explosion in Sangin, was invited to the exclusive MoS playback.
“I’m really honoured when I hear stories like Jim’s because I believe music should help you to get better. My point of view is that music should make you feel happy and a lot of people put me down for that. I’m not necessarily a very happy person myself but I want my music to be happy because why would I depress myself more, if I’m not happy? So, I think it’s great that music can heal people and I’m really happy I can do a tiny little bit towards that healing.”
