Chris Carrier At Juno Download

Review: Chicago house don Chez Damier teams up with Adults Only boss Chris Carrier, Paris native Jef K (of Silvernetwork Records) and vocalist Nouha Matlouni for the second instalment of the Gathering project, which Chez first started back in 2004. "In My System" is slice of classic deep house, replete with souful vocals, looped rhythms and atmospheric chords, and produced with the kind of intricate poise you'd expect from a collective made up of such talented individuals. Next up is the dub version of "Gathering Funky Take", which takes things in an altogether sleazier direction, while the original cut rounds things off in a bouncy, almost tech house manner - be sure to check the particularly fun drop that arrives early on. Top release.

Review: Part 2 begins in a much more chipper mood. "Calais Douvres" seems to spill a joyous attitude out of every hole. A bristling beat and hollow percussion sets the tone from the off before Carrier's signature groove swings in and sweeps the listener off their feet and on a fun filled ride.
"Quadrilette" keeps a similar attitude, but this time adds a churning bassline that is so raw you can hear it rattling away at its deepest depth. Tribal-like percussion adds the funk and the tone is lightened further by the female vocal as made famous by Til West's "Same Man." Ending with the drum led "Le Divan Japonais," the release saunters into a rhythmic groove. Sub bass murmurs beneath the percussion at first but then makes itself more prominent as Carrier lets loose.

As a child, Carrier was exposed to all the classic sounds of the 60s and 70s through his parents. Yet as an adult, he discovered the techno raves of the early nineties. Both of these influences can be heard in Carrier's music, as he attempts to bring the best parts of both sounds together into one place. He manages this task with a seemingly natural ease here.

At a time where the boundaries between genres are continuing to blur, Gosse De Paris, both parts 1 and 2 make their own conclusions on the formula of modern electronic music.

Review: Some fun acid house from the Robsoul Recordings archives available for the first time digitally. Originally out back in 2004, School Of Acid sees veteran French producer Chris Carrier tee off against Robsoul boss Phil Weeks and Bay Area house music staple Hector Moralez under their Fries & Bridge nom' de plume The title track is an all bouncing, all jacking acid house house work out, with Hector's "This Is Acid" vocal refrains riding the 808 drum pattern and undulating acid lines as neat little scratch noises drop in the mix. 'Turn It Out' sees Fries & Bridge drop a loose kick drum pattern that gets overwhelmed by a pulsing sub bass before a scattergun of hats signal a further onslaught of bubbling acid synths. Finally, 'You Got Me Open' sees Carrier fly solo and a lot deeper, crafting a solid groove aided by neat vocal edits.