Troublemakers

Hailing from France, celebrated for its exceptional wines and romantic heritage, the electronica trio Troublemakers shapes a distinctive take on dance music in the manner of fellow countrymen AIR and Dimitri From Paris. The group’s members—DJ Oil, Fred Berthet, and Arnaud Taillefer—first connected at Friche-Belle in Marseille in 1998, drawn together by mutual enthusiasm for jazz and funk of the 1960s and 1970s as well as film scores. Those affinities supplied the foundation for fusing jungle, hip-hop, and house into their material. Within Marseille’s jungle scene, DJ Oil has refined funkadelic grooves since the early 1990s and has maintained a residency at Radio Grenouille since 1996. Arnaud Taillefer has balanced full-time music work with pursuits in photography, graphic design, and movie soundtracks. Parisian DJ Fred Berthet released several recordings throughout the 1990s while engaging with worldbeat music. Collectively, Troublemakers sustain a singular atmosphere and a devoted European audience. Their debut album, Doubts & Convictions, appeared on Guidance in early 2001.