St Germain

It's been twenty years since St Germain's debut full-length album 'Boulevard' hypnotised listeners with an inimitable style of French Touch, ousting the brasher elements of the sound and instead interspersing deep grooves with elements of jazz, blues and dub, all alongside samples from the likes of the late Gil Scott Heron.

St Germain, real name Ludovic Navarre, had previously worked under a number of aliases including Deepside, Sub System and Choice, as well as with iconic producers like Laurent Garnier and DJ Deep, but it was 'Boulevard' that introduced the Parisian to a discerning global audience.

Five years later he followed it up with 'Tourist', another classic album that continued St Germain's distinctive sound, riding the line between deep and downtempo French house and acid jazz. The record went on to sell over three million copies worldwide and opened with the unmistakeable 'Rose Rouge', a sensual track that has since soundtracked countless Ibizan sunsets.

A few small remix and co-production projects aside there hasn't been much in the way of new material from St Germain in the 15 years following 'Tourist', until news surfaced in June that his eponymous third album is due October 9. In a project only someone with the far-reaching musical mind of Navarre could devise, he enlisted the participation of a number of African musicians for the album, with it featuring a number of traditional Malian instruments.

'Real Blues', the single that landed in June from 'St Germain', features the same level of incredible musicianship present throughout his back catalogue and demonstrates the powers of a producer that hasn't lost his knack for turning out deeply emotive music.

St Germain's In Session shows that despite his time away from the studio, Navarra hasn't taken his finger off the pulse of electronic music for a minute. Whilst warm pads and softened kick drums ease the mix ever forward, the track selection never strays from the sublime. For deep house built from world rhythms and indelible grooves, check out his exclusive mix below.

'St Germain' is out on October 9

Blaq Owl - Spirit Of Joy (El Vuitto Acayi's Remix)
El'set Soul - Dikwe (El Regalo & Lee Chineque Afro Mix)
Ta-Ice & Infected Soul - Nakhane (Original Mix)
Rocco - Saharien Child (Lars Behrenroth Reprise)
Hypnotic Soul feat. Tumi - Dance All Night (Top Tom's Side Of The Story Mix)
The Lamberti Boyz - The World Music (Original Mix)
Jay Tee - Isipho (Original Mix)
DJ Tucks - Sign Language (Main DHS Mix)
Kubu - Maisha (Kubu Original Mix)
Dr Renas feat. Afrikan Roots & John - Luphelile (Main Original Mix)
Ocean Deep feat. MJ White - One Love (Mzala Wa Arika Remix)
Black Coffee feat. Zakes Bantwini - Juju (Halo & Atjazz Deeply Minded Dub)
One On One - Life's Dream (Original Mix)
Boddhi Satva feat. Omar - Benefit (Main Mix)