Mixerr Album Reviews #2,305

French electronic producer and arranger St Germain had heavily delved into techno and dance music back in 1992 when his Tolérance EP was released. This was before St Germain mastered the 'French Touch' on his EPs French Traxx EP and Motherland EP in 1993. Here this EP showcases a totally different side of St Germain as he uses much faster uptempo dance influenced sounds in his techno songs. Songs such as French, IL, and 111 are a case in point. Yet somehow his Tolérance EP remained very much overlooked and overshadowed by many. St Germain - Tolérance EP was released as a 12” vinyl single on the F Communications label in 1992.

The song French starts off with an airy futuristic space synths which give the song a climax over a techno influenced instrumental soundscape. You can feel the intensity rising and buildup as the synths play different musical notes at the 0:12 mark. A drum kit starts playing around the 1:14 mark. This song shows a much deeper side of St Germain. Now you can hear some electronic chords start playing at the 2:47 which give the song more intensity and more of a buildup.

The song IL is driven by a pair of shakers which pan from left to right on the speakers. This is one of the percussion based techno songs off the EP. Around the 0:58 mark is where a looped vocal sample is added and synths are added. Those pairs of shakers are what make this song stand out particularly. However the vocal sample is difficult to decipher or hear because of the layers of instrumentation overlap the vocal sample. Not too many people will be able to hear the vocal sample used in this song.
 
I rate this single 5/5*****!!