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TITLE:		Jet Society
ARTIST:		Various
LABEL:		Eighteenth Street Lounge
PRODUCER:		Thievery Corporation
COVER ART:		Steve Raskin (Ion) and Thievery Corporation
RELEASED:		November 1999

TRACKSREVIEWTHE SOUND

1. Lisboa A Noite: Teresa
2. Bossa Per Due: Nicola Conte
3. Hi-Fi Trumpet: Stereo Action Unlimited
4. Seasons: Bobby Hughes Experience
5. Foto Viva: Mo' Horizons
6. Onde Anda O Meu Amor: Reminisce Quartet
7. Brasileiros E Ingleses: Grupo Batuque

8. Lunera: Trio Eletrico
9. Vai Minha Tristeza: Tom Y Joyce
10. La Femme Fin De Siecle: Louise Vertigo
11. Cinnamon & Clove II: Balanco
12. Jet Society: Cordara Orchestra

"Jet Society", the second in the "Eighteenth Street Lounge Soundtrack" series, is somewhat of a departure from Volume One in its more consistent, retro-esque jazz sound yet it still manages to cover international ground with its itinerary. Utterly modern and stylish, the collection features smoothed-out grooves accentuated by female songbirds accompanying in Brazilian, French, and scat. Reminiscence Quartet's well-known "Onde Anda O Meu Amor" is one example with its catchy rhythm. Strictly lounge style except for Trio Eletrico's sonic "Lunera", this is soundtrack for matching with the modern furniture.

Jet Society is "more a state of mind than a lifestyle" according to the liner notes yet it still manages to conjure the image of well-coiffed hair, high-attention-to-detail outfits, and modern furniture, complemented by colored lights and smoke. Not a bad scene now and again ... and apparently somewhat frequent in the Washington DC club.

Luckily they've got enough good music to help them through the evening, courtesy of the Thievery Corporation. One of the obvious picks is Paris' Yellow Records, who represent via Tom y Joyce and the distinctive Louise Vertigo (The Mighty Bop). Italy's IRMA Records is certainly also in the mix, contributing the airy title track. Newcomers like the Bobby Hughes Experience provide confidence that this brand of groove will continue to evolve. Eighteenth Street Lounge Music again does an excellent job of bringing together international artists with a common goal of creating quality, jazz-inspired sounds. Look out for more thematic soundtracks.