If I had to pick one CD Maxi release by Laurent Garnier to rule them all, then his 1993 "A Bout De Souffle EP" would be my definite choice. The first three tracks, Breathless, Wake Up and Go To Sleep, rank amongst his finest works ever, and those familiar with his opus should know that means quite a lot.

Wake up is my favorite here, though, and certainly my #1 tune the frenchman produced. The best thing about it is how nicely it aged; the acid line and the vocal samples immediately reveal that its origins are back in the old school, but it still gets the crowd screaming on those good retro parties ;-)

The other two tracks are more laid back, with a relaxing and soothing touch, maybe more suitable for the after parties or just pure quality listening time at home.
The remix of Wake Up is nice, but few tracks can match the original, let alone beat it.

So, what you have here is an absolutely essential purchase for all fans of old school house/techno, with a very distinct Laurent Garnier trademark- the tunes are groovy, melodic, yet not too aggressive or in your face. Their beauty relies more on musicality than on harshness, devastating kicks and high BPM rates. Essential stuff here.

Wake up is my fave Laurent G track of all time. I generally tend to find that nothing he has produced since, comes near but then I did stop bothering checking out his stuff after about ten disapointments. Who wouldnt. Such a superb, deep chugging techno, tech house track. Still very playable and up to date as the day it came out. The track has that wonderful deep voice saying 'wake up' with a crisp over emphasis on the hi-hats and deep bendy bassline. Fits into any house or minimal set in fine style and guarantees to make ya crowd roar with recognition or sheeply agreement. Has a very nice build up from just the bendy bass on its own with occasional voice sample followed by a high pitch creeping sound that builds with the tune. We then get that fat bass-drum hit and rolling hi-hat. Recommended on a very large scale. Almost as classic as Joey Beltrams 'Energy Flash'. Almost but not quite.

Wake up is a pumping, swirling groover with a sick ass bass line- Breathless is good too, but Wake Up is a classic- especially in a packed club, on a dance floor filled with smoke, and a killer sound system- like the Rex....

Long-forgotten techno release from Laurent Garnier - his first UK output. 'Breathless' is an intense, rushing, claustrophobic epic and worth tracking this down for (the vinyl is pressed so it looks like there are 2 tracks on the A-side but there aren't). 'Wake Up', however, is uninspired acid and not up to much.