The French master returns from his successful jazz excursions of 2007 with an album that delivers a potent mix of beats and vocals. These days he sounds more assured than ever in the music he’s making, so that an expansive track like ‘Gnanmankoudji’ (easy for you to say!) builds up with a strong inevitability, the sax riff growing out of nothing over rolling drums and a stealthy kick beat. The techno workouts are interspersed either with spacey, slightly jazzy music or with hip hop, and MicFlow makes a powerful impact on Freeverse, with its combination of scattered beats and emotive rapping. Finally From Deep Within closes out the album with a cool tone, completing a hugely satisfying piece of work that keeps Garnier on his throne.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
