(Pschent/Creative Vibes)

“Hi, I’m Stephane Pompougnac – I’m the French DJ you may you may remember from gigs such as the Gucci 2002 runway shows, or my Hotel Costes series of CDs…”

Yes, this man does indeed live an enviable existence. Pompougnac’s series of CDs – based around his DJ slot at the 5-star Hôtel Costes in Paris – are in their sixth incarnation, and he’s the DJ of choice for many of Europe’s top fashion designers. At a glance there seems few DJs more worthy of the words ‘jet’ and ‘set’ than this young man. Whether or not he can produce original music of worth is a more subjective issue.

Living on The Edge is an album that doesn’t really live in the edge in a musical sense. It’s certainly nice, but it’s not an LP that you’ll be raving about in ten years time. Pompougnac’s jazz influences are evident on tracks like Loulou de Pomérane, as are distinct nods to bossa (Moriento), broken beats, pop rock (Clumsy), house (basically every other track) and hip hop (the title track). Many of the tracks you’ll hear have featured on previous Costes compilations, so if you’ve collected all six, expect a lot of de ja vu (or the aural equivalent).

It’s an intimate affair, with appearances by friends like Michael Stipe on Clumsy, and an ode to the woman in his life in Closer to Julie. The requisite number of arty collaborations appear, with performers like Japanese icon Clementine, Juliette Benichou and even a reincarnation of the late, great Yves Montand.

As a collection of songs, it’s somewhat like the school reports you used to get which started with the words: “Jennifer is a pleasant student…” Reading between the lines your parents could probably work out that you were the kind of kid who got along with most of the class, performed adequately well, and didn’t make any trouble. Living on The Edge is a CD that will work fantastically well in up-market cafes, or as background dinner party music. Buy it if that’s NOT what you’re looking for, but make sure you save some money for the sort of album that receives an “outstanding student” school report.