Castor Et Compagnie

After the disbanding of Justine, saxophonist and singer Joane Hétu recorded Castor et Compagnie with her life partner, saxophonist/flutist Jean Derome; ex-bandmate Diane Labrosse (sampler, keyboards); and drummer Pierre Tanguay. Very close to the experimental pop/rock stylings of Justine, this CD collects songs revolving around eroticism and sensuality. Some like "Les Épices" and "Ah! Les Beaux Jours" are almost duets with Derome. Labrosse's playing integrates more and more the sampler as an instrument (in a way similar to Bob Ostertag's), bringing a constant variety of textures. Hétu wrote catchy avant-pop songs with simple but twisted melodies. These songs are ripped open and taken apart by the musicians, whether it is Hétu's own off-key vocals or Derome's atonal sax solos. Highlights include the groovy "La Rouquine," the lullaby-turns-into-nightmare "Histoire à Dormir," and the developing "Capitaine." Fans of Justine will be delighted. Castor et Compagnie is the last of Hétu's albums one could consider to be pop or song-oriented. Future recordings will lean more and more toward improvisation. ~ François Couture, Rovi