Dutch/Belgian group Gare du Nord was formed in 2001 by Ferdy Lancee and Barend Fransen. Signed to <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Play+It+Again+Sam%22">Play It Again Sam</a>, the lounge-oriented style synthesists released several albums during their first few years, beginning with 2002's In Search of Excellolounge and concluding with Sex 'n' Jazz. They aligned with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Blue+Note%22">Blue Note</a>, beginning with 2007's Jazz in the City, which was heavy on interpretations of the label's '60s and '70s output (from <a href="spotify:artist:2SZ1e7QHN5jon9tpSpQl44">Duke Pearson</a>'s "The Phantom" to <a href="spotify:artist:4B5XByhwtjsqGxs91fYMhZ">Ronnie Foster</a>'s "Mystic Brew"). The same year, Italian singer Dorona Alberti (<a href="spotify:artist:3V4IvzRQYP5mzuVtkcHgVa">KMFDM</a>) was added to the lineup and featured prominently. In 2001, Gare du Nord established a performing version of the group, fronted by Alberti, while a studio-based entity remained driven by Lancee and Fransen. The <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Blue+Note%22">Blue Note</a> association resulted in additional releases such as 2011's Lilywhite Soul and 2012's live release Lifesexy. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi
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