Customer Reviews

Laboratoire Mix

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Perhaps you've heard of the French DJ/producer Laurent Garnier; the man behind last year's sax-sensation "The Man With The Red Face," and the subsequent "Unreasonable Behaviour" album. I loved his production, and had read about his "legendary" DJ skills, so I decided to take a gamble on "Laboratoire Mix." I'm glad I did! It's a head-trip from start to finish.

Garnier's mix CD is a double-disc extravaganza. Each disc contains a single track--the mix. No flipping through tracks here. The album cover features a hologram by IC Holographic, and the whole package is done by the Designer's Republic! <<...insert collective hipster sigh of ecstasy...>>

But I'm not here to talk about packaging. What inspired me to write this review was the incredible music. Two hours of absolutely slammin' techno and (okay, so there is some) house. The mixing is impeccable, and tracks blend together exquisitely. Okay, not so exquisitely in some places but this is not your digitally mixed Global Underground affair. Some of this is going to sound a bit dated...but it absolutely beats the pants of any trance mix I've heard recently!

Mix (disc) One starts off on a housey note with Jungle Wonz's "The Jungle." This vibe continues through kooky Green Velvet's "Help Me," and then Messr. Garnier self destructs, and the techno madness takes over.

Mix Two wastes no time pulling you in from the beginning, with Garnier's "The Force;" and it's a techno extravaganza from here. Jeff Mills, Juan Atkins, Derrick May....Garnier himself garners (sorry, couldn't resist) another appearance with his "Acid Eiffel." Sadly, the disc ends on a (decidedly unsexy) Philip Glass composition which isn't half bad; only it seems to drag on for years.

What truly impressed me about "Laboratoire" was it's ability to retain the funk. Don't get me wrong, I love the more "clinical" experiments of cats like Richie Hawtin, but some of this is really sexy music! Imagine yourself in a seething inferno of the dirtiest club you can imagine. I wish I could describe it better, but you're better off experiencing it on your own. Derrick May said it best: "It is what it is."

If you are a techno fan, this album is a must. Great song selection, great mix. Laurent Garnier,probably the best DJ in Europe.

This is really a must-have. Play it, and you won't be able to sit relaxed : YOU HAVE TO DANCE ! The tracks are really nice - tanx for the fantastic "Acid Eiffel", and the Aphex Twin track is so great. In a way it's a bit mysterious and frightening. A nice way to shut the things down. You won't be disappointed. Laurent Garnier his mix-cd's are the best in the world - his album are too.

Laurent Garnier's sets have been described as emotional yet driving; in a three hour set he can give you a wet dream that leads to floor-bending hyperactive craziness. He knows how to find the soul in a many of distinct and overlooked places.

At the time of this release, he explained that it was somewhat of the zeitgist of his music (it was released in 1996 by the way, if I remember correctly, and the tracks are 1995 and before, so it's a really good education into that period and many of the artists are still regarded as groundbreakers today). He leads .......... through deep house to jacking grooves (a la Neil Landstrumm's Index Man EP) to mental swirling numbers to peak-hour madness (Jeff Mill's "Purpose Maker" and Scan X's "Bleu" to name a couple).

Yes this is one of the most classix techno albums of all time, and shares number 1 with Carl Cox's Fact ONE. While a very differnt style it is an incredible album featuring mixes that will make you cry. Beauty. Pure beauty. Great album, a real must have.

it drives me crazy that the tracks arent indexed!

This is Laurent Garnier at his best.