Going right from where I left off...
Next track is "Mars". This happens to be where Leger can shine the most at times. Foregoing his traditionally organic, razor-sharp tech house, Leger opts for a more electro-centric, rippling metallic feel, as if the entire track got blasted with paint and polished to a metallic sheen. While most Leger tracks bubble, this one most assuredly bobbles, the zigzag synth line cutting lines through the admittedly classic Leger drums characterized by vibrant rhythms while sounding equally sonically dense. There really is an "alien" vibe given off here, foreign, unusual sounds and pads keep things interesting, but the structure and sound are still trademark Sebastien Leger. A definite winner in my book. Especially that glitchy, rising synth line. Tuuuuuuuuuuune!
Sebastien Leger - Mars
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Finally, we come to "Uranus", my final favorite off of "Planets". This has to also go under the category of "rhythmic, electro-tinged, belching, rippling bangers". With a low end like no other, and an almost hip-hop rhythm, "Uranus" even brings what can only be vinyl scratches to the table with bottom-of-the-barrel synths and bass. This whole track sounds like one loud, long belch. But it's a good belch. Leger's rhythms work wonders again, and the synths might get eventually grating, but this track is experimental Leger at his near best, and rightly deserves the title of "tune". Crazy astrological shit right here.
Sebastien Leger - Uranus
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Alright, with Planets out of the way, let's focus on Leger's best material off his other singles and releases on Mistakes Music. Just as a reminder and as a list, I'll focus on "Talisman", "Majestic", "Jungle", and "Le Moustique".
Ah, Talisman. Not only my favorite Leger track, but easily one of my favorite electronic music cuts of all-time. And personally, I think it's easy to see why. A thick, down-to-earth vacuum of a beat that hisses and snakes for a minute or so is soon layered with a delayed, wonderfully simple Middle-Eastern sounding melody. It shimmers overhead before harmonic synth stabs further layer the sound. A final background pad dips the entire track into a crazy, glittering atmospheric pool, before harnessing the entire sound and dropping a signature Leger drum pattern that only gets better and better as the track progresses. Highlighted by perfectly timed claps and vicious, hissing snares and hi-hats, the drums work to the climax, an astoundingly layered and head/body-pleasing zenith from the track drops off, all sound synthesizing into a one cohesive unit. At a bit over nine minutes, much happens here, but it proves Leger's atmospheric ideals and talents for layered, dense, yet positively monstrous and completely danceable tech house. One of my favorite songs of all-time, ever. Enjoy.
Sebastien Leger - Talisman
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After "Talisman", well, nothing can really come close to recreating it sonically, mentally, or emotionally. But by no means is anything after 'bad'. It's just...not as good. But let's jump into another solid Leger release, "Majestic", and it's killer eponymous cut.
"Majestic" opens with an already busy drum pattern, only further building on it with a minor synth backbone tagging along for the ride. Around 1:30 the synths break open and trickle slowly out, layering out the groundwork for a swirling, magnetic synth line that rides the drums perfectly for another few minutes. Subtle drum inflections and shifts further keep attention before the synth takes center stage again, as the glitchy, electro sound builds around before dropping off again to the rippling, rolling synth plus drums, as is par for most of this track. It's certainly nothing special, but it's definitely got a great intro and showcases, if anything, more creative Leger rhythm and sound.
Sebastien Leger - Majestic
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If ever there was a track to highlight atmosphere (that's not on Planets) I would have to pick "Jungle". The title really just spells it right out. You're not even sure what sounds at first are even drums! There's chirps, breezes, hisses, tweets, yelps, everything. It honestly does sound like a jungle. The drums, while initially pretty loose, gather ground and structure fast, and it's not even until around two minutes that a melody even shows up! Although simplistic, it's classic Leger: spacey, delayed, bubbly, and perfectly suited for the track. But it's that bridge that gets me every time. All of a sudden the synth line winds up and falls back down before repeating again, an instantly jazzy sound that should get your feet moving and your head swirling. Or at least your fingers snapping. A definite favorite of mine and that puts Leger's rhythmic sensibilities at the forefront, and to wondrous effect.
Sebastien Leger - Jungle
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Until recently, I didn't really enjoy this final Leger track. I'm not even sure why; it's textbook Leger. "Le Moustique" (French for 'the mosquito') kicks off with light, vibrant African-sounding drums, before peaking with another rich, textured drum backdrop for buzzing, mosquito-like (of course!) synth line to drop, droning monotonously under the sea of hi-hats and bongos. Another rhythmic treat, with a thematic sound that suits it well, even if it gets old after a little while!
Sebastien Leger - Le Moustique
I could go on and on about this amazing French DJ/producer, but you know his sound, his technique, and his style, which doesn't really change that much from track to track! This isn't your normal tech house, it's definitely something bigger, faster, and, well, better. Enjoy, and keep those ears wide, wide open.
-NL
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