Classic And Rare - La Collection Chapter 3

House music can be a strange, exciting, and wonderful thing. Especially when it is left in the hands of French DJ/producer Laurent Garnier. This double-CD compilation features two mixes of tracks from Garnier's F-Comm label. The first is a collection of the label's classics mixed by Finnish DJ Jori Hulkkonen, while the second is a set of rarities assembled by Garnier himself. While most electronic music labels are usually defined by a particular sound, F-Comm's strength has always been in its diversity. From the arrhythmic African drums of Frederic Galliano to the haunting Goth-tinged vocal by Juantrip, the only consistency found in these tracks is the way in which they defy the style-driven homogenization that plagues most dance music. Like the chef he used to be, Garnier runs his label and mixes his music with a masterful touch, blending flavor and taste to create a succulent meal that pleases all of the senses. It is only by creating this perfect balance that Garnier can play the downtempo of Nova Nova -- a mere four tracks -- before the driving techno of his own "Crispy Bacon," in a never released remix by Jeff Mills. Hulkkonen's mix follows Garnier's lead, although the gear changes are slightly less drastic. A three-track collage of disjointed selections from Avril, Readymade, and Elegia give way to the insistently familiar funk of Mr. Oizo. From there it is pure quality techno by Hulkkonen, Sound of K, and Scan X, whose throbbing "Wasteland" makes the entire trip worthwhile with an addictive synth line that will have you yearning for late night dancefloors. This is one of the few label mixes that never suffers from a sameness in sound. The fact the F-Comm can fill two CDs with such advanced and creative music is the ultimate testament to their uncanny ability to handpick the best in electronic music, regardless of where the tempo may fall. ~ Joshua Glazer