However, we won't go into the well-known story about his beginnings as a DJ at the Diable des Lombards and at Les Bains, and how he then met Claude Challe and finally Jean-Louis Costes. No need to mention his 1999 remix of Madonna's 'What It Feels Like For A Girl'; his compilation for the US department store chain Saks 5th Avenue, residencies in famous clubs such as the Lotus in New York; parties in Japan, Korea, for Soho House during the Oscars, at the opening of Cameron Diaz's Miami restaurant in 2000, the amFAR party in Rome at which Sharon Stone sold a box-set of Costes compilations for €12,000, the many Gucci events he has mixed for ...

The main reason he has set the benchmark for compilations is because he never settles for simply putting one sound after another, but arranges his selections as if he were writing a story. And this is the most complete story he's ever told. He's an inventor of musical atmospheres, and here he creates two worlds, both very dear to him. Night & Day can be seen as a return to his roots and his musical influences. At the age of seven, Stéphane discovered not only Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express but also La Messe pour un temps present composed for Maurice Béjart's ballet of the same name. This was the starting point. His early days as a DJ in Bordeaux in 1986 were greatly influenced by new wave, the beginnings of electro, and the first house music from Chicago and Detroit.

It is an insight into his 25 years DJing at clubs around the world that he gives us on Night, “although it's a bit more restrained than in clubs", deeper, more tribal in tone. The last track, 'Walk Tall' by Glimpse, is the track with which he used to round off his sets in Ibiza. It has a deep house, almost progressive feel to it that rubs shoulders with Nicolas Jaer's slightly worldy 'Mi Mujer', the album's first track and one of Pompougnac's absolute favourites. His choices lead him more towards Cadenza's Luciano than vocals: “I prefer music to voices. The music can be subtle, and I like listening to what happens during the intro." On the Day version, he lets his taste for acoustic take over. It sounds far more indie, with its eclectic selection and a less electronic approach to production. This stylish and elegant sensibility is his hallmark and he continues in the same vein, even if he's a little more offbeat this time, using distortion to give the music a more live, more quickfire sound. A definition? “A compilation of my 80s influences and alternative electro-pop." It contains a hotchpotch of 80s new wave with guest appearances by Peter Kingsberry and Catherine Ringer, the reggae sounds of Patrice, and some more rock moments with The Hundred in the Hands or Boys Noize's remix of Charlotte Gainsbourg. Still, the real gem on this double album is the virtual EP that has worked its way onto this compilation. There are five original compositions produced by his label, Stéphane Pompougnac Productions, and included on the two different mixes to illustrate the remarkable scope of his desires. There is 'Experience', the supremely catchy and clubby instrumental 'Take Her By The Hand' featuring Lady Linn on the Night version; and on the Day side, a fairly electro-lounge feature by the magical Peter Kingsberry and a second guest appearance by Lady Linn, but above all there's 'Morning Flow' by Malik Alary, the first artist Pompougnac signed up to his label.

Even though he only founded his label two years ago, this is no experiment, since back in 2003 he released a first album Living On The Edge, which included such prestigious artists as Michael Stipe from REM on 'Clumsy', and then a second in 2006 called Hello Mademoiselle. The label is like a research laboratory and an opportunity to collaborate with his long-time accomplices Marc Ricci and Pierre Zito, whom he has been working with for over 10 years. He has been able to really develop his creative talents and his unique style. Whereas until now he has always written everything he releases, he confesses that today he's more interested in samples and music with a diversity of sounds as he works on his third album. He has already produced a premium album for the famous Heaven's Floor club, which was launched during the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.At the same time, he has put together La Musique du Faubourg with Malik Alary, a sort of jukebox offering tailor-made music packages for hotels and restaurants.

Stéphane Pompougnac is an all-round artist and, after 25 years in the business, now more than ever he is cementing his reputation as a composer, producer and DJ.

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Stéphane Pompougnac 'Take Her By The Hand' video !

Check out Stephane Pompougnac 's video 'Take Her By The Hand' !