(Filter Music/Shock)

This is, without doubt, an incredibly cool compilation. From the old-school French chic of Serge Gainsbourg to the brand-new, dubbed-out sounds of Gotan Project and NoJazz, this is one worth picking up as soon as possible.

Released by SBS and Filter Music, the idea behind the two-disc album is to transport the listener back in time with evocative songs. Although this may not work exactly – many of these songs, particularly on the first CD, will be before the time of most listeners – it’s nice to create some new memories with these chilled-out classics in the background.

Following on in a style similar to that of the first instalment, the compilation starts off with classic, mainly French tunes – including a very funky St Germain update of the Pink Panther Theme – before moving into dub and nu-jazz territory on the second disc with the likes of General Electrics and Akatay Project. There’s something here for lovers of old and new, and for those with multicultural musical tastes, as the album serves up original tracks and remixes spanning the generation gap between Brigitte Bardot and Nitin Sawhney.

In short, and for want of less trite expressions, this compilation is about good vibes. Almost all of the songs, whether they are old friends or completely new to you, are outstanding; and with new Argentinean tangos, electro-laced Gainsbourg, dub, reggae, swing and more, this compilation is varied enough to keep you entertained for a long time to come.