The Best of Bob Sinclar

Recensione album

As David Guetta's closest challenger for the title of France's most successful DJ/producer, Christophe Le Friant, aka Bob Sinclar, has been packing dancefloors for over a decade with his commercial blend of filtered disco and vocal house. Released in the same year he received his first solo Grammy nomination, his first greatest-hits package gathers 14 of his biggest club hits, from his 2000 tribute to Gallic disco star Cerrano (the string-soaked "I Feel for You") to his team-up with Shaggy on 2010's reggae-inspired Made in Jamaica (the synth-dancehall of "I Wanna"). Alongside his mid-noughties brace of summery whistling-led chillout tunes ("Love Generation," "World Hold On") and revivals of classic '90s floor-fillers from C+C Music Factory ("Rock This Party [Everybody Dance Now]") and Rozalla ("Sound of Freedom"), all of which made the U.K. Top 20, there are collaborations with the Sugarhill Gang on the old-skool hip-hop of "LaLa Song," the Wailers' Gary Pine on the acoustic ballad "Give a Lil' Love," and the triple whammy of Vybrate, Queen Ifrica, and Makedah on the ragga-infused "New New New," alongside lesser-known tracks further showcasing his eclectic tendencies, such as the Argentine tango-led "Kiss My Eyes" and the gospel vibes of "Peace Song." This Universal compilation doesn't paint the full picture of the Bob Sinclar story, as there are no contributions from 1998 debut Paradise or 2004's Enjoy, while his star-studded duets with Sean Paul, Shabba Ranks, and Axwell are notable by their absence. But as a quick introduction to the talents of the Gallic dance supremo, The Best of Bob Sinclar serves its purpose, containing all the hits you know plus some equally anthemic ones you might not. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi