Personnel: Laurent Garnier (vocals); Malik (flute).

Recording information: The Wake Up Lab, Paris, France.

Photographer: Laurent Helou.

30 is a seemingly effortless blend of classic Chicago jacking house with minimalistic acid funk and the occasional detour into trip-hop and ambient house. Enhanced by Laurent Garnier's longtime DJ work, the superb mix and feel for what should come next inform production skills to an incredible degree. The single "Crispy Bacon" is one of the seminal moments in the history of acid, while "Sweet Mellow D" and the mid-tempo "For Max" provide other highlights. The superb jacking theme "The Hoe" and "Flashback" (dedicated to the recently deceased Armando) are two of the more overtly Chicago-inspired tracks, but 30 is a stunning album throughout. ~ John Bush

Spin (8/97, p.115) - 6 (out of 10) - "...his sound-effect intermissions (stylus static, phone tones, voice-mail messages) are cute, and he's got tricks up his sleeve....[Garnier] can make your head spin 1988 acid-house style while you spin on your head 1982 breakdance style..."

Q (4/97, p.122) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...sometimes dazzling, sometimes dark and often disturbing."