The French dynamic duo Cassius is back!

House music fans will remember '1999', Cassius previous CD, as a foundation of some of the 90's best house music. The Batman and Robin of French House Music are non-other than Phillipe Zdar and Hubert Blanc-Francart aka Boombass.


I hope you are ready to be launched into 2002 French house scene with “Cassius” latest CD, “Au Reve”? This CD has captivated everything from, rock, soul, disco, house and hip-hop. From jazzy dance singles to groovy and soulful electronic tunes offering something for everyone.


If you are ready to listen to something that’s new and doesn’t follow the usual same old same old cookie cutter music then you’ll enjoy the song, “Sound of Violence.” Although the title of the song does not match the words or music, this won’t matter a bit once loaded in your CD player.


The thumping electronics are completely imaginative, giving your audio equalizer the digital boost it needs. The opening track "Hi Water" offers charming audio watercolors that will quickly put you into a rhythmic mood. This fashionable song, can’t be played with the volume turned down, so let go and turn up this unique and unorthodox sound and enjoy the riveting synths that bring the best of retro into the house millennium.


The third track, “Under the Influence” has the power and ability to pull you into it’s soulful sound. A song that should be played on local R&B stations mixes some of Al Green’s sensational lyrics, “something that could make you do wrong”, is a energetic early 80’s styled track with thumping beats that will make you move your feet. This is definetly not a cool down song, as the beat gently but loudly thumps you into the early morning.


The forth track Telephone Love, naturally starts off with ultramodern phone ringing that continues to be weaved into this synthed tune like water on a cold wave. This wistful tune is not played at hyper speed filled with soothing riff’s and vocals sounding like Roger & Zapp. Fortunately, the repetitive robotic vocals are easy to understand since the words “Telephone Love” rides throughout the song only to bounce against the shores and mix back into this songs oceanic feel. There’s nothing but sweet listening here!


If you are thinking about “Michael Jackson” forget it, the fifth track “Thrilla” sounds nothing like MJ’s music. “Thrilla” features Ghost Face Killah from Wu-Tang Clan takes you right to the club mixing house, hip-hop, rock and smooth European vocals creating a fusion that’s rarely matched without cutting and scratching an LP. Cassius producers and DJ’s Philippe Zdar and Hubert Blanc-Francart have taken a lot of heat for the song “Thrilla” crosses traditional boundaries. Fortunately they broke tradition, mixing the best of Hip Hop with two notorious French DJ’s creating a unique and awe-inspiring sound.


Track 6 is my favorite track on the CD. The song “I’m a Woman” features the voluptuous vocals of Jocelyn Brown. "I'm a Woman" starts of with an elastic rock guitar riff spliced over a disco-house sound. Jocelyn Brown’s stand out vocals definetly make her stand out as a soulful diva. This song showcases why Cassius is considered the cornerstone of French dance music.


Track 7 titled “Protection” is filled with soft gentle dreamy synths and the delicate vocals of Gladys Gambie offering a touch of soul mixed with cyber reverberation. At times sounding more like an erotic love song, Gambie’s voice although soothing makes this track seem out of place, however it’s this type of quirkiness that’s separates Cassius from your average run in the mill artist.


Track 8, “Till We Got U and Me” is a marvelous thumping track that reminiscent of some of the songs pumped out at my local gym. Not only does this song put me in the mood for an aerobic workout, it’s also cool enough play right before going out to enjoy a night on the town. “Till We Got U and Me” is a dynamic house song that’s loaded with funky hot soul. The horns are and vocals with the hint of classic disco is not only uplifting but also inspiring.


Track 9 follows up with the track "How Do You See Me Now" putting you in a House like trance the moment you start listening to it. If I had to pick a track that was my least favorite, I would choose "How Do You See Me Now". Although it’s excellent in places, there are other parts of the song that seem awkward and irregular with the choppy lyrics and synths. However, after playing it a few times, this unusual tune wears on you like an old T-shirt, you want something more, but it’s comfortable enough for you to accept in this particular genre of music.


The next track “Nothing”, is a slow song mixing soulful vocals and poignant beats to a tune that closer to the Art of Noise sound than anything I’ve heard in a long time. If Nothing else, this track is something to think about, no pun intended.


Track 11, Barocco introduction is a bit weak, however Cassius quickly makes up for it as the song blends into a soothing yet hot tune that would flow with any cotemporary fusion jazz collection. This song won’t make the all time favorite list, but it’s a fast easy listening track offering the ideal musical quickie.


Another all time favorite on this CD is the twelfth track titled “On.” This song is a throw back to good techno and flavored house. If you are not dancing then this song will have you gyrating and grooving in no time. It filled with repetitive one-liners, such as “on” and “time” laced over innovative house beats. My only beef with this song is that it’s not long enough. The track “On” represents the French house sound that is identifiable around the world now.


The title track, which happens to be the thirteenth and final song “Au Reve” affectionately, represents this CD. This song offers an unusual mix of synths and emotions pulling you into a rhythmic jazz like trance as almost as if you are floating on the beats. "Au Reve" which means in a dream by the way, sums up this visionary CD.


Track listing:

1. Hi Water
2. Sound of Violence
3. Under Influence
4. Telephone Love
5. Thrilla
6. I'm a Woman
7. Protection
8. Till We Got U and Me
9. How Do U See Me Now
10. Nothing
11. Barocco
12. On
13. Au Rêve

If you collect House or Dance music, then this CD is a “must have!” Cassius fans won’t be disappointed as their experimenting pays off in this CD. This CD is definetly worth adding to your collection. Especially if you enjoy house music from various scenes, all mixed together with Al Green, good soul music, the rock and fusion jazz.