As we prepare to dust off our dancing shoes for yet another unforgettable evening of dance floor magic, we’re thrilled to be soundtracked by none other than the iconic discotheque legend, Dimitri From Paris. His electrifying sets have captivated audiences for decades, making him a pivotal figure in shaping the global dance music scene.
In anticipation of this night of infectious rhythms and feel-good vibes, we couldn’t resist taking a deeper dive into the archives of the timeless music that has helped define the unmistakable “French Touch” sound. From funky basslines to soulful melodies, this genre has left an indelible mark on electronic music, and few have done more to embody this spirit than Dimitri himself.
To guide us on this nostalgic journey through some of the most influential tracks, we sat down with renowned music curator Sean Brosnan. In our conversation, Sean shared his top picks—the must-hear tracks that have stood the test of time and continue to ignite dancefloors across the world. Whether you’re a long-time fan of French house or a newcomer, these selections are simply too good to dismiss. So, get ready to discover (or rediscover) the songs that have shaped an entire generation of groove enthusiasts.
1. The Paradise – In Love With You
Alan Braxe is a producer whose music you likely know, even if you don’t know the name. A seminal figure, Braxe has crafted tracks for both listeners and dancers, with classics like “Runnin’” and his contribution to the Stardust project. This pick, “In Love With You,” was actually released under The Paradise moniker and features a disco-like soaring synth line that feels warm and fuzzy.
2. Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You
Like a Paris production dream team, “Music Sounds Better With You” samples Chaka Khan and went on to become a global hit. The one-sided Roule 12-inch is the stuff of legend, and the rest is history. One of the biggest dance tracks of all time, it marked the pinnacle of the late ’90s French scene, bursting with creativity and a laissez-faire attitude to sampling.
3. Kanvinsky – Nightcall
Of course we all remember being compelled the first time seeing Kanvinsky’s “Nightcall” soundtrack an ominous city voyeurist in Drive, making the track forever famous. A new era of French disco tinged music emerged in the 2010’s alongside the label “Italians Do it Bette”r. A low slung late night more electronic take on the genre that stands the test of time and made way for a new disco / pop crossover taking 80’s inspiration.
4. Lifelike – Italo Disco
Lifelike has provided a late-night soundtrack over the past twenty years with seminal records such as “Discopolis” and [track title missing]. In 2020, on our very own Future Disco label, Lifelike unleashed “Italo Disco” (a confusing name given this theme but an homage to the beloved genre of the ’80s and ’90s). This modern slice of cosmic disco was remixed by Musumeci, who created a special bootleg vocal version—definitely worth seeking out.
5. Le Knight Club – Coral Twist (Extended)
Le Knight Club are Eric Chedeville and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, the founders of the label Crydamoure, under which most, if not all, of their music was released. While Thomas Bangalter was busy making Stardust, Guy was busy producing some of the best disco club music of the era. This track is a prime example of loopy, filtered disco that captures the energy of the magical late ’90s, a time when French House ruled the world.
6. Bob Sinclair – In Da Ghetto
Before Bob Sinclar was telling the world to “Hold On” and playing arena-style venues, he released the seminal album Paradise. It featured a raft of underground hits, including the elusive “Gym Tonic” (created with the one and only Thomas Bangalter), which sampled Jane Fonda’s workout song.
6. Teddy Pendergrass – The More I Get, the More I Want (A Dimitri From Paris Disco Re-Edit)
Our special guest for our next Future Disco party in November, the maestro Dimitri From Paris, has been producing, remixing, and curating disco gold for over two decades. He has remixed legends such as Chic, Sister Sledge, Ashford & Simpson, Jamiroquai, and many others. He brings a true soulful disco spirit to his reworks, and this one is no different, reworking the classic Teddy Pendergrass track “The More I Get, The More I Want.”
7. I Care- Yuksek Remix
One of the new school of Parisian disco artists, Yuksek, has carved out a place as a DJ, producer, and remixer, combining funk and disco with percussive and rhythmic sounds. A regular feature on Future Disco albums and radio shows, Yuksek’s remixes often make an impact. Here, he reworks his own track with Bertrand Burgalat, bringing a funky edge.
8. Alex Gopher – The Child
Gopher’s records are deep and interesting, and his catalog tells the whole story of deep house from the past 30 years. However, it’s his classic track “The Child,” which sampled Billie Holiday, that seemed to soundtrack many sunsets, fusing the sounds of disco, soul, house, and electronica.
9. Pepe Bradock – Deep Burnt
A French unsung hero, Pepe Bradock, created perhaps one of the best house tracks ever made. “Deep Burnt” is an almost orchestral workout that shouldn’t work but simply does. Never released digitally, the track continues to inspire deep love from deep house aficionados to this day.
10. Daft Punk – Revolution 909
French Future Disco wouldn’t exist without the influence of Daft Punk. Much has been written about the enigmatic duo, and it seems unlikely we will ever hear new music from them again. But it’s their first album, Homework, that remains a true dance album classic—uncompromising, with squelchy acid lines and filters that captured the energy of the era.
11. Cassius – Feeling For You (Reveries Digitales Dreamix)
The sad passing of Philippe Zdar left a hole in dance music. Cassius managed to break into the UK charts with their pumping, heavily sampled dancefloor disco, and this track was one of their finest. Sampling Gwen McCrae’s “All This Love I Have to Give,” it added that squelchy dancefloor energy Cassius was known for, which Philippe also brought to his other project, Motorbass.
12. Breakbot – Baby I’m Yours
Breakbot, emerging from the Ed Banger label led by Pedro Winter—Daft Punk’s former manager—brings the French disco sound full circle with a fresh wave of artists. With “Baby I’m Yours,” Breakbot delivers a modern-day disco classic, blending smooth vocals and rich instrumentation with a nostalgic touch of ’80s soul in the production.
13. Étienne de Crécy- Prix Choc
Étienne de Crécy had already found success with the group Motorbass alongside Cassius’s Philippe Zdar, before launching his own highly successful solo project. His solo work, including live performances, made a significant impact on the electronic music scene. While this particular track may not be a peak dancefloor anthem, it represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of French house music. During the rise of 90s chill-out and lounge music, artists like de Crécy skillfully blended disco influences with more relaxed tempos, producing iconic tracks like “Prix Choc” that stood alongside the faster, high-energy sounds of the era.
14. Max Berlin – Elle Et moi (Joakim Remix)
We couldn’t make a list without mentioning Joakim. He has been instrumental in so much electronic disco-inspired music over the past twenty years. We chose this remix because so often it’s the remix that has allowed his talent to shine. This bumping slow-mo remix is one of the best and soundtracked another era of more dancefloor-oriented future disco in the second half of the 2010s. Complete with French spoken vocals.
15. Folamour – These Are The Places
A true hero of today’s dance floors, Folamour has taken all the history of original disco and the innovators above, creating his own take on disco that suits today’s dance floor while building a whole new audience for his soulful mid-tempo house sounds. This track, like many of the classics, is a rework of Archie Bell & The Drells’ “There’s No Other Like You,” and this happy, not overly complicated rework will go down as a French disco classic.
16. Bellaire – Groovin
We featured Bellaire with his track “Groovin’” on Poolside Sounds in 2019, at the very start of his career as a DJ and producer. He combines dancefloor energy with jazz and disco touches, creating infectious dancefloor moments.
17.Phoenix – Listomina (Classix Remix)
We picked this remix as it featured on an early Future Disco album but Phoneix original output is equally if not better. The indie group seemed the capture the crossover between the soulful disco sounds that had gone through the evolution ands combine the chilled sounds with disco and one eye on the dance floor.
Listen to the full playlist Here.
Shouts to all the others not on the list above but every part of the story – DJ Steef, Fred Falke, Black Deveil disco Club, DJ Falcon, ICube, Phoenix. As we gear up for Dimitri from Paris’ highly anticipated set at Ministry of Sound, let us take a moment to celebrate the timeless appeal of French disco. From the iconic anthems that defined an era to the hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, the legacy of French disco continues to shine bright, inspiring generations of music lovers to dance the night away. Grab your Limited Early Bird Ticket Now before they likely sell out!
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