Please note this is an old page and Fly Global Music has now moved. Please follow this link and search for the entry in the new site.

Their latest edition, Sourcelab 3, is perhaps the widest ranging in its musical breadth, bringing together 23 classy tunes - all gems, no fillers. I got in contact with Marc Teissieur-Du-Cros, one half of the team behind the label, to quiz him about Source and the French dance scene in general.

Source started as a going concern two years ago, having been the brainchild of Philippe Ascoli. Although their first compilation Sourcelab 1 caused waves of excitement outside of France, the reaction in their home land was not exactly feverish, as Marc explains: "Very few people understood this music in France. We got the best reactions from abroad." I put it to Marc that Source was a pioneer of the new French sounds. This is a view that he modestly accepts. "In a way, Source was a pioneer, because we released the first compilation of French electronic music distributed by a major. At this time, all these producers were producing tracks at home, with only a few thinking that their tunes would see the light of day."

In the last two years, the internal structure of the French electronica elite has changed quite considerably, as Marc points out; "It (the scene) has moved from arty labels to small enterprises and it now counts more businessmen than musicians. Artistically the level is still very high, and continually growing. The constant factor is a certain elegance in the music." The variety of musical styles and growth in number of wannabe producers are things that Marc is keen to discuss. "Everybody can produce tracks at home on a sampler. It's like photography: many people own a camera, but only a few are talented photographers. The competition is very strong in France. The variety of Sourcelab3 is intentional. I did put some of the tracks in just to say, "this is not serious, this is fun!

One of the most interesting and inspired collaborations on the new compilation is the pairing up of the great Jean-Jacques Perrey with Air. Marc explains how this unique partnership came about; "Philippe Ascoli and I went to meet Jean-Jacques Perrey last winter in Vichy, where he now lives. We wanted a track by him for the new Sourcelab. At first he wasn't interested in working with a French label (he hates French A&R's!), but he seemed to like our approach. He needed a producer, which he is not himself, so we suggested Air, who I knew would be interested, and we organised a very successful meeting them. Then J-J came to Paris, and they recorded at Air's studio over a few days. They are really close musically, and they understood each other very well."

Sourcelab3 also showcases a number of drum & bass tracks, a trait that has continued since #1. This prodigiously English of sounds is now starting to gain popularity in France, as Marc explains; "The drum & bass scene is still small, but quite strong. However the parties are always very crowded and some excellent DJ's and producers have appeared, i.e. Zend Avesta, Extra Lucid, DJ Nem and X-Pensive."

The future for Source seems rosy, at least for the foreseeable future. Not only have the label got a major label backing (Virgin) but also they are sole distributors in France for Mo'Wax (James Lavelle and Philippe Ascoli are old friends) and the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal label. The next step according to Marc, is to concentrate on releasing solo albums from the likes of Air, Mozelli, and La Funk Mob. Air release their next single "le soleil est pr=E8s de moi" in early July, followed by a 5-track singles compilation called "Premiers sympt=F4mes" in late July. The album is set to follow in October, with 12 amazing and completely new tracks". Keep watching...