Tokens

french producer julien chaptal is one of the upcoming artists of the new amsterdam electronic underground. spearheaded by labels like 100% pure, intacto and remote area and a new breed of parties and clubs (11, studio 80, sugar factory, flex bar) the amsterdam scene in recent years has managed to put itself back on the international map. on chaptal's debut album 'tokens' he again teams up with some of his friends, like daniel 'mumbling' sanchez and carlos 'screaming' valdes - dj and organisor of the infamous vreemd-parties in sugar factory. compared to the other new minimal-, techno- and house-producers in amsterdam, chaptal's sound is definitely different. he stands out from the rest not only because he still doesn't really speak the native language (who does in this international city?), but also because his music breathes his musical roots: the french house that dominated dance music and especially his hometown paris, in the second part of the nineties. the beautiful collection of tracks on 'tokens' (the cover shows all the plastic money the dj-producer collected on his endless journeys through nightlife) is the best proof that chaptal is one of the finest talents amsterdam has to offer. the grooves are housey, deep and funky, the subtle melodies fresh and uplifting. several tracks can cause severe damage on the dancefloor, as already was proven by the happy few that were able to play them in front of a crowd, like remote area labelboss dylan hermelijn (2000 and one).