Au Rêve

• Artist: Cassius
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 17, 2002
• Genre: Electronica

Review

One thing Philippe Zdar and Boom Bass didn't learn from label mates Basement Jaxx on album number two: How to make a tight record. Part of the greatness of Basement Jaxx's own sophomore album had to do with its brevity -- it was a whirlwind of countless styles, with house as its launching pad -- that sounded honed without the edges smoothed out, and it blew by before you got the chance to catch your breath. Though the range of sounds isn't as vast, Cassius' follow-up to 1999 has all the ingredients for a perfectly constructed gale force of a record, but many of its ideas are given too much breathing room. Long-winded tracks that would've worked better as brief interludes or outerludes (or even left as decent, extended B-sides) slightly deflate rather than complement a clutch of great vocal tracks with impeccable production work. "I'm a Woman," despite a regrettably scorching guitar intro that might've been cribbed from a 1989 issue of Guitar magazine, settles into a nimble, uplifting groove with disco diva Jocelyn Brown (Inner Life, Musique) in booming, spectacular voice. Boogie king Leroy Burgess (Black Ivory, Logg) takes over for both "Under Influence" and "'Till We Got You and Me," two irresistible house cuts double dipped in funk and gospel. "Thrilla" is Zdar and Boom Bass' very own "I'll House You," with Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah on board for some fast and furious rhymes. But the greatest of all is Steve Edwards' shot, "The Sound of Violence," with the album's most wickedly zapping bassline and tangles of funk guitars that scratch and wah-wah. Compared to 1999, Au Rêve is much more organic, thanks to both live instrumentation and the wealth of great vocal turns. In that respect, it's a step forward for the duo. Just keep that program button warm. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Hi Water	Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Cassius	(4:38)
The Sound of Violence	Steve Edwards, Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Steve Edwards, Cassius	(7:13)
Under Influence	Leroy Burgess, Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Leroy Burgess, Cassius	(5:14)
Room Tone	Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Cassius	(1:04)
Thrilla	Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Ghostface Killah, Cassius	(6:03)
Telephone Love	Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Cassius	(6:42)
I'm a Woman	Jocelyn Brown, Boom Bass, Philippe Zdar	Jocelyn Brown, Cassius	(4:22)
Protection	Gladys Gambie, Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Gladys Gambie, Cassius	(3:59)
Till We Got You and Me	Leroy Burgess, Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Leroy Burgess, Cassius	(5:53)
20 Years (How Do You See Me Now)	Dianne Brooks, Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Cassius	(4:37)
Nothing	Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Cassius	(5:25)
Barocco	Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Cassius	(3:06)
On	Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Cassius	(4:12)
Au Rêve	Philippe Zdar, Boombass	Cassius	(7:39)

Credits

Jocelyn Brown (Vocals), Jocelyn Brown (Vocals (Background)), Boom Bass (Engineer), Leroy Burgess (Vocals), Leroy Burgess (Fender Rhodes), Steve Edwards (Vocals), Connie Harvey (Vocals (Background)), Ernie Watts (Saxophone), Ernie Watts (Sax (Tenor)), Janet Wright (Vocals (Background)), Ghostface Killah (Rap), Mike Marsh (Mastering), Mike Marsh (Cut), Gladys Gambie (Vocals), Gladys Gambie (Vocals (Background)), Jean-Paul Gonnod (Engineer), Jean-Paul Gonnod (Assistant), Cassius (Main Performer), A-Lex (Image Design), Bertrand (Engineer), Bertrand (Assistant), Alex Courtès (Image Design), Olivier Lude (Engineer), Olivier Lude (Assistant), Zdar (Engineer), Celine Bary (Vocals (Background))

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)