‘Intro’ by Alan Braxe and Fred Falke celebrates turning 25 this year.

Originally released in 2000 on Alan Braxe’s own label Vulture Music and later released on the acclaimed album ‘The Upper Cuts’, since its release ‘Intro’ has become one of the most celebrated tracks of the era, and is quintessential of the French Touch sound. With its exquisite sampling, lifting the dreamy vocals from 1985’s US Top 3 hit ‘Crush On You’ by The Jets, combined with an instantly-recognisable bassline played by Fred Falke himself – the result is a track which sounds as fresh today as it did 25 years ago.

Braxe, a laidback synth enthusiast from Paris, met Falke, a session musician from the South of France, in early 1996 while the two were on their year-long military service. In 1999, the duo met again in a second-hand music shop in Toulouse and decided to work together on some tracks. By this point Braxe’s star was in the ascendant, having released his debut single, ‘Vertigo’, on Thomas Bangalter’s Roulé records in 1997; and topped the global charts with Stardust’s classic ‘Music Sounds Better With You’.

“I had decided to set up a label, Vulture, and I was looking for someone to work with,” says Braxe. “I was more into sampling and machines and I had the idea that it would be interesting to work with someone like Fred who had a very musical background, with the keyboards and the bass.” Hooking up with Falke paid instant dividends in the shape of ‘Intro’, the duo’s debut single: five minutes of faultlessly melancholy, perfectly elegant, dance music that nudged French House into the future.

Critical praise for ‘Intro’ reflects this, and it is often considered one of the best dance music tracks ever recorded. The Guardian included it in their ranking of the 20 Greatest French Touch Tracks, remarking: “perfection may be a myth but ‘Intro’ gets pretty close”. Mixmag listed it in their Best Basslines Of All Time feature, proclaiming that the track is “as simple and effective as serotonin shots come. Absolutely undeniable”, while Resident Advisor listed it in their Top 100 Tracks of the ’00s, dubbing it “French filter house of the highest order” and highlighting the “euphoria induced by the irresistible bassline and ethereal vocals”.

Many influential artists and DJs have also expressed their appreciation for ‘Intro’ and its influence. Upon revealing that they were both celebrating 25 years of ‘Intro’, Alan & Fred received support from artists including The Avalanches, Erol Alkan and many more. Fellow French heavyweights Justice chose ‘Intro’ as their ‘Best House Tracks Of All Time’ feature with Billboard, later going on to tribute Braxe with their song ‘Dear Alan’ – a track crafted in Braxe & Falke’s signature filter house style – taken from their latest album ‘Hyperdrama.’ 

Upon its release, ‘Intro’ peaked at number 35 on the UK Official Singles Chart and remained in the UK Dance Singles Chart for 10 weeks. The track was chosen for a key moment in the Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony, and has been a constant presence in DJ sets around the globe since its release, and continues to this day.

Released as part of a remastered package, available digitally as well as on limited edition 12” vinyl. The 12” vinyl is available for pre-order now, and comes as part of a special bundle with a T-shirt. Pre-order here.

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