Jackson is an influential French DJ, known for pioneering the now ubiquitous style of Intelligent Dance Music through his work in remixing various artists and his own original album 'Smash'. IDM is a style of music that grew from traditional Electronic Music, but incorporating elements from many other elements of Dance. Traditionally, IDM tends to rely on musical experimentation rather than on a particular set of musical rules, adding to its appeal for those who are looking for more than a four-to-the-floor beat. This is most recognisable within the work of genre spearhead Aphex Twin, amongst others.
Born as Jackson Fourgeaud, this visionary Parisian artist started making music when he was 15, interested by the musicians and equipment involved in the work of his mother, folk and blues singer Paula Moore. After his debut on Pumpking records in 1996, he released the 'Sense Juice' and 'Gourmet' EPs under the name ‘Jackson & His Computer Band’. Like his adventurous music, Jackson is “a Parisian to the core”. Now at 28, he has spent more than a decade at the forefront of innovation in Dance Music. Back in 2005 he was resigned to WARP Records. WARP being renowned for having some of the most musically progressive artists under their belt, such as Aphex Twin, Boards Of Canada, !!! and DJ Mujava.
Soon after signing to the historic label, Jackson released ‘Smash’: his debut album. Described by Jackson as "a style orgy, a psychedelic celebration of conflict". The album is, as he describes, a crazed collection of incredibly well-produced, densely packed tracks. The album opens with Utopia, a track that creates the surreal sound that follows the rest of the album without mercy. The standout though has to be Arpeggio a four minute track which seems to constantly change and constantly capture the listener’s interest on new levels. Despite being dark and edgy, it still retains its dance appeal, with the whole tune sounding engineered to perfection. Breaking up the hits on the album are 30 second jazz/pop interludes, making the journey all the more surreal and fascinating. It could be argued that the album peaks too early, however, with Jackson struggling to maintain the awesome vibe he creates at the start of the album, although it manages to remain attention-grabbing. Since the first few songs are so hard-hitting it almost tires the listener out and makes it harder for the later cuts on the sinister musical journey to compensate for this. Nevertheless, the album received good reviews in the dance press has clearly inspired the likes of Justice, Simian Mobile Disco and Sebastian.
Soon after signing to the historic label, Jackson released ‘Smash’: his debut album. Described by Jackson as "a style orgy, a psychedelic celebration of conflict". The album is, as he describes, a crazed collection of incredibly well-produced, densely packed tracks. The album opens with Utopia, a track that creates the surreal sound that follows the rest of the album without mercy. The standout though has to be Arpeggio a four minute track which seems to constantly change and constantly capture the listener’s interest on new levels. Despite being dark and edgy, it still retains its dance appeal, with the whole tune sounding engineered to perfection. Breaking up the hits on the album are 30 second jazz/pop interludes, making the journey all the more surreal and fascinating. It could be argued that the album peaks too early, however, with Jackson struggling to maintain the awesome vibe he creates at the start of the album, although it manages to remain attention-grabbing. Since the first few songs are so hard-hitting it almost tires the listener out and makes it harder for the later cuts on the sinister musical journey to compensate for this. Nevertheless, the album received good reviews in the dance press has clearly inspired the likes of Justice, Simian Mobile Disco and Sebastian.
As well as creating his own innovative tracks, Jackson is also a renowned club DJ. His sets incorporate anything from techno to new-wave futurist tracks, with a no-holds-barred playfulness to his shows. Jackson is constantly asked by bands such as Justice to hear their songs remade with his unique flair. Jackson not only remixed three of their songs into one, but he also created the legendary 'Do The JAHCB', a 12-minute mixtape of Justice's entire album: ‘Cross’. Jackson has also remixed the likes of Air, Femi Kuti, Vanessa Paradis, M83 (‘Run Into Flowers’ being an essential track to check out), Freeform Five and Jean Jacques Perrey & Luke Vibert's Moog Acid project.
To conclude, due to Jackson's constantly evolving palate of influences and output and with his style spreading further and further, IDM is only on a course to become more interesting.
To conclude, due to Jackson's constantly evolving palate of influences and output and with his style spreading further and further, IDM is only on a course to become more interesting.
Written by Joe Thornalley
Remixed by Emmett Cruddas & Peter Keffer
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