★★★☆☆
The keys to the kingdom in various Playboy mixes has been passed down through Dimitri from Paris, Felix da Housecat and Bob Sinclar. Michael Canitrot’s name may not roll off a perfectly poised tongue, but here’s another Frenchman, with the notable feat of taking clubbing into the Eiffel Tower, in charge of Heff’s house. He starts in extremely cool, lounging fashion (Noir & Haze), and with a mix of traditional disco and pert party funk (Gigamesh versus Cassian, Hideo Kobayashi, Roman D’amour’s filtered fabulousness) tracks that reek of sex (Lifelike & Kris Menace’s beckoning “Discopolis,” Treasure Fingers & Malente’s super-fly “Crusaders”) and a house mood prancing between leisurely and uppity, it’s more of a mishmash than expected. A solid all-round partier that’s akin to picking whether you like your centrrfolds blonde, brunette or red-headed.
Side two is definitely intended to get the Playboy Bunnies hopping and bouncing buoyantly. Familiarity is always a formidable weapon (Trent Cantrelle checking out Adina Howard, Soul Central’s “Strings of Life” holding firm), and the house session plays with (or without) a nod to the Playboy brand not being a byword for sophistication nowadays. Setting off trance-fused fireworks (Tristan Garner) and big come-together, fist-beater riffs (some as plastic as the associated anatomy), it’s clued up with summer sounds and trends, if not the most distinguished set going.
File under: Dirty South, MYNC, Aeroplane