A floating world of color and mood translated into sound; deep beats with a hint of foliage wafting off them as they play through the speakers; rhythms and sounds that trigger the feel of places and times, both present and forgotten: this is the music of Gabriel Le Mar. Based in Germany, Le Mar wears various musical hats with one thing in common, amazing sonic textures delivered through precise audio production. With projects ranging from deep, smoky dub to floor-rocking trance, Gabriel Le Mar is a kind of Renaissance man in electronic music, embracing different styles. With roots in fusion jazz and its interaction with electronic music, Le Mar's music has a depth that comes from his history with various projects, both musical and visual. Always in the world of interpretation and interaction (also one of the pre-inventors of the virus synthesizer). I first became aware of Le Mar's music from his Saafi Brothers album Mystic Cigarettes released on Blue Room, an album combining the space of ambient with the groove of trance 4/4, continually moving, pausing and grooving. Knowing this work, Le Mar played a show here in San Francisco with the Montauk P. crew (his techno project) and again found myself blown away by the depth and variety of his musical interest. A truly live and seriously rocking show. During his stay in San Francisco, I discovered a truth in music, amazing sounds come from amazing people and the expression of music, and amazing sounds are a direct signature of consciousness. Radio-V caught up with Gabriel Le Mar for some insight into his latest release, a solo album titled Gab's Gift, out now on Spirit Zone records. Conducted via e-mail, here is what he had to say: Tell us about the organic feeling of Gab’s Gift and perhaps any notable sessions that really 'took it there'... Gab's Gift is my second album as a solo artist and it is for me a step further on in my development as a producer, musician and being. I tried to keep up the vibe from Gab's Lab, my 1st solo album (also on Spirit Zone rec.), but not to repeat myself. What are the roots of your music and of the way you got started? Got started with a Christmas gift from my parents, a classic 6-string guitar, when I was 6 years old. I started playing bass 7 years later and when I was 15 years old I joined a band. We worked with mixed-up equipment at that time, like 808 drum machine, Roland-ProMars synth, Simmons drums, analog f/x, percussions, guitar and bass. At that time I learned a lot about electronics and sound. We were quite free in mind and gave a f...k about mainstream music. For 4 years I was making a living with DJing in a club on Saturdays and Sundays, and from Monday to Friday I was making my A-level in school. Then I moved to Berlin to start studying communication sciences at the University of Arts. Of course I couldn't avoid doing music and did various recording-artist studio jobs as a bass player and guitarist and joined a band (Rain On Bamboo) for a few years. Since 1992 I'm living and working in Frankfurt. -> If you are interested in my discography please check out my homepage under www.le-mar.de “I find travelling basically an essential experience for most of us to do. If it will have an effect on you depends upon your open-mindedness.” Musically I grew up partly with my parents' record-selection—my father was into Elvis, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent and this kind of '50s rock and roll music—my mother was more with The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, etc...(she used to run a beatclub in the '60s in Germany for a few years) and so you can bet we had a good sound system in our house. Personally I like so many styles and sounds, had so many different kind of inputs in my life that I can hardly pick out a few—maybe better to do on the phone.… What is your favorite animal in nature and how do you feel similar to it? I feel more connected with certain beings than a particular animal race. I just feel certain animals seem to have a strong vibe/soul. It works the other way round too: Sometimes I walk the street and I see people as cats. I mean their character/soul that shines throughout their face reminds me.… Tell us of a place around where you live (or anywhere in the world) that consistently inspires or triggers a feeling in you. Staring on the sea from a higher spot, watching birds fly from the top of a hill into the valley (how about Nagarkot/Nepal?!), hanging out on a Greek marketplace playing backgammon... You travel quite a bit. How does travelling inspire or change your music? What kind of smells, colors or sights lead this? I find travelling basically an essential experience for most of us to do. If it will have an effect on you depends upon your open-mindedness. I found it most of the times inspiring in many ways to be on the road—meeting people and getting to know different schemes of life and various opinions.… In one season I had a mic and portable DAT rec. with me—my ears were open wide. The other season I shot lots of photographs and through that I had a very visual trip. And lastly, drawing from your own culture: Is there a German expression that so perfectly describes or expresses 'something,' yet cannot be translated into English...? Nullwachstum. That it a term used by politicians and economist describing the fact that an economy hasn't grown. Null means zero, Wachstum means increasing grow. How can something be zero growing and increasing at the same time? Paradox, isn't it? Bringing paradox and resolution to his music, Gabriel Le Mar inspires and provokes us through his sounds. To find out more about this intriguing music man, check out his above-mentioned website for more details on past present and future. There you can also sign up for his newsletter, keeping us all posted on his latest.