‘AS A DJ, GARNIER ENCAPSULATES EVERYTHING I BELIEVE IN'
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Laurent Gamier and inset Alex Smoke
Rising Soma star Alex Smoke shares his thoughts on why LAURENT GARNIER is a true techno hero.
can actually pinpoint the exact moment I
discovered Laurent (iarnier. It was the l8
November 1995 at midnight. and "The lissential Mix‘ on Radio I was just about to start. I used to just record every one. then decide later if it was worth keeping. and this one remains on my il’od to this day. It was Laurent (iarnier who introduced me to techno. and at an age where it‘s important to claim your tastes. it became a music I could call my own. It was only a month later that (iarnier‘s seminal Lubriramin’ Mix was released. and I remember wondering if' it was worth spending all my spare cash on a cassette (a decision that I never regretted. although in retrospect I wish I‘d bought the limited boxed vinyl instead). These two mixes led me to Detroit. to Carl Craig. to Underground Resistance. and also to the joys and possibilities of DJing.
.-\s a DJ. (iarnier encapsulates everything I believe in. refusing to play within the confines of one genre and mixing disparate styles in a way that sounds effortlessly musical despite looking hopelessly mismatched on paper. To this day he is still one of the Ms 1 look forward to watching time and time again because I know that he'll pull out something unexpected. surprising. interesting. Techno is
machine music. and without an injection of
musicality on the part of' the D] it can quickly
become monotonous: obviously this is also part of'
techno's charm. but to balance its repetitive nature with emotion hits it above the merely mechanical.
and this is a skill that (iarnier possesses in spades.
As a producer (iarnier defies being pigeonholed and his music covers the full spectrum of sound. from the rough hewn electronics of .t’i). to the down tempo musicality of last year‘s ('lum/ Making Mar/tine. llis
label l5 (‘ommunications. which has released much of'
his own work. also follows the same philosophy and releases music by producers as diverse as Frederic (ialliano. Alexkid and Scan X. When I finally got round to sending out demos two years ago. l’ (‘omm was near the top of the list for prospective labels because it was clear that their primary concern was music and not simply marketing and genre limitations. 1 only ever sent out two demos in the end though. so [5 (‘omm never got the opportunity to reject me.
Laurent (iarnier‘s is a career that has spanned years. genres and disciplines but has retained its focus through a true love of' music in all its connotations. It’s fair to say I owe him a major debt of gratitude. and I‘ll try to even the balance a bit by buying him a beer at Pressure on Friday.
Laurent Garnier puts in a three hour set alongside James Holden, the Wighnomy Brothers, Slam and a live set from Alex Smoke at Pressure, the Arches, Glasgow, Friday 31 Mar. Alex Smoke’s latest album Paradolia has just been released on Soma. Check somarecords.com for more info or to pick up a copy.
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THE BEST DAiNchLOOR‘Ac‘iION
=i1 Departure Lounge Povo have cancelled but Tru-Thoughts man Diesler IS still manning the decks for the best in future jazz and wonky world funk. The Caves. Edinburgh, Fr137 Mar.
:2: Utter Gutter It's dress up time as UG present Drag it Out. Come as a pipe. a fag hag. a cigarette girl, anything to do wrth the smoking ban. Riverside Club. Glasgow. Fri 37 Mar.
Souljam Masters at Work genius Kenny 'Dope' Gonzales joins the jam crew and Itchy Sax as part of the Bacardi B-live event. B/uu, Glasgow. Sat 7 Apr. ti: Audio And not forgetting the east coast as Kenny Dope. drops by Audio. Berlin, Edinburgh, Sun 2 Apr.
Dlggln’ Deeper A melange of styles ab0und as electro. house and breaks are dished out by the Diggin' Deeper All-Stars. fOr their first birthday with a bit of live jazz-funk from Black History Month and Gecko 3. The Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Fri 7 Apr. Modern Lovers The best in northern soul, jazz, funk and beyond from specral guest Jazzman Gerald (pictured) from the rather appropriately titled Jazzman Records. Ego. Edinburgh, Fri 7 Apr.
Pinup Nights A Welsh ‘rarebit' of sorts. Super Furry Animals put in an exclusive DJ appearance. Woodside Socra/ Club, Glasgow, Fri 7 Apr. Discobadger Remember Will Smith’s sidekick in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, DJ Jazzy Jeff? He went on to become one of the biggest selling rap artists of all time and a mighty fine DJ. Bamboo, Glasgow. Sun 8 Apr.
>i< DJ Yoda goes to the Movies An AV set from the cut up maestro. GUU, Glasgow, Wed 72 Apr
3‘) Mar—1 3 Apr 200". THE LIST 33