Although Chez Damier’s recent Adventures In Barcelona and A Work In Progress projects have languished in semi-obscurity while Mojuba’s reissues of his work flew off the shelves, his latest effort has already attracted more attention than anything he’s done since his Prescription days. Supposedly a continuation of two EPs Damier curated back in 2004 for ATAL, The Gathering is more of an entirely new project that finds the vaunted Chicago producer working with unexpected cohorts Chris Carrier and Jef K. Their first release, “In My System,” was shrouded in mystery when it first appeared during the early months of 2010, a situation that’s hardly been alleviated by its actual commercial release. To date, four different iterations of the record are floating around: two translucent red vinyl editions containing several different renditions on an unnamed label, a digital version on Carrier’s Adults Only, and what seems like the “official” version on Jef K’s Silver Network. But the quality of “In My System” cuts through the confusion, positioning the tune as one of the best to achieve popular acclaim this year.
Out of step with the current milieu of sample-heavy house but archetypal of the deep house style that’s inspired so many producers, it’s only somewhat surprising “In My System” has experienced such widespread support. Because so many versions are in circulation it suggests a long, productive session has been wrung dry. For the purposes of this review I’ll focus on the Silver Network EP with mixes by Carrier and Jef K, in part because the latter is the most popular and because the “original” is marred by some sloppy arrangements. From the subtly intricate drum patterning to the jetstream timbre of sky-scraping synth chords, Jef K’s “System” mix is an uncomplicated pleasure, one that feels like it’s been living in your head — or lurking undetected in your record collection — for untold years. This connection is strengthened by the caliber and delivery of Damier who informs dancers, “You’re in my system / you’re in my life tonight,” often deadpanning “system” to give the phrase more heft. It has all the qualities of a feel good summer hit while encouraging listeners to reflect on their good fortune to be in each other’s systems. DJs have fewer reasons to air out Carrier’s “Tex” mix. Opting for a dub-influenced sound that sops up all the energy in delays and reverb, Carrier forfeits much the vocals’ considerable power to reconcile them with hobbling percussion and sticky synth stabs. But with a near instant classic on its flipside, Carrier’s mix comes along for the the ride as DJs clamor to own one of 2010’s most affecting house tunes everyone wants to hear. A stunning reminder that Chez Damier is ignored at the listener’s peril.
Correction: An earlier version of this review stated that “In My System”‘s vocalist was uncredited. While this is true to the best of our knowledge, readers have pointed out that Chez Damier was in fact the vocalist. The review has been edited to reflect this.
It’d be a great track if it wasn’t for the obvious ableton warble fail.
“A stunning reminder that Chez Damier is ignored at the listener’s peril.”
Or the reviewer’s.
That ‘uncredited male vocalist who informs dancers’ is, wait for it, Chez Damier.
Or the reviewer’s.
I’m a listener, am I not? If this is your way of bragging that you’ve been keeping track of Damier, congrats.
That ‘uncredited male vocalist who informs dancers’ is, wait for it, Chez Damier.
Although I suspected that may be the case, I’d rather not presume so when none of the records I’ve seen credit him as such.
I don’t really follow Chez Damier at all, the only reason I know it’s him on the vocal is because of this.
http://www.discogs.com/Kids-In-The-Streets-Keep-On-Turning/release/477312
Yes it is Anthony Pearson on the vocals AKA Chez Damier
too be honest he does not put his name on the release because it is not about him it about young fella’s getting there name out there
I am so sorry for this Anton who does not have a fucking clue on life let alone on music, look BOY, if you are going to dive a review get your facts right, its because of Jokers like you is why I don’t play the Game, so in the Future get it right, oh by the way i hope this helps your career because the writing style SUCK, yes I said it! If you have any commits I am available, the difference between old school and New school is simply EXPERIENCE, Get some.
I struggle to believe Anthony Pearson would truly curse out a reviewer who gave his record a glowing review, simply because he said the vocalist was uncredited. Is that not fact? Nowhere on any of the copies of “In My System” I’ve seen has he been credited as the vocalist.
Whoever left this comment as “chez” should be ashamed of themselves for treating this as a grave injustice, especially as part of a positive review that calls the it “one of 2010’s most affecting house tunes everyone wants to hear.” Way blow a tiny and insignificant statement into something it’s not.
Good gosh, you would think I said Chez Damier sucked based on that hateful comment. Sorry if not getting credit irked someone to lose their shit, but get over it. Or even better, someone should make sure Chez gets appropriately credited on his next vocal appearance so know nothings such as myself don’t make the mistake.
what’s the big deal chez? i love your track and anton seems to too. he gave you props and said people should check often for your shit. where’s the beef?