by Deep In The Jungle Staff
   05/17/04

Je Me Souviendrai (I Will Remember) is new comer Jean Sebastien's debut album, and Eric Mouquet's second full-length pop production. Mouquet also produced Fragil (2003) for Ex-Mecano member Ana Torroja, which was nominated for a Latin Grammy (Best Female Pop album).

The new album features the talented and intense vocals of Montreal native Jean Sebastien Lavoie. Born in 1978, Jean got an early start in music, starting with the violin at age three. Later he turned to the piano, the clarinet and the tuba. His musical knowledge and talent inevitably landed him in a school specialized for music, there Jean quickly took to singing and joined the orchestra.

Jean Sebastien's chance came in February 2003, when he auditioned for 'A la Recherche de La Nouvelle Star', the French version of American Idol, with contestants from Belgium, Canada and France. He was one of the selected finalists to appear on the TV-show, and ended up finishing 3rd. Though Jean Sebastien did not win the contest, his performances were enough to get the attention of Eric Mouquet, and BMG France who offered him a record deal.

In December of 2003, Jean Sebastien released his first single, a cover of Queen's We Are the Champions, a song he had first performed on Nouvelle Star. One personal small complaint is that with any cover song, the listener always finds themselves comparing the new to the original. And although Jean Sebastien has a wonderful voice and sings the song very well, his accent sticks out a bit on this track, the only song in which he sings in English.

The single was followed by the April 13th (2004) release of Je Me Souviendrai featuring eleven tracks. Most of the songs were composed and written by French and Québecer musicians including two songs from Eric Mouquet (Petit Ange and Accepter les Blessures). Eric also handles most of the musical arrangements.

The strength of the album is in the first half, beginning with two superb ballades from Jacques Veneruso (Celine Dion and Garou). Mouquet's Petit Ange may remind some, of Josh Groban'sRemember When it Rained, with it's somber mood and lengthy uplifting vocalizing at the conclusion of the song. Another familiar Mouquet aspect of the album are the ohh-aah background vocals used on Ana Torroja's Fragil.

The second half of the album is more 'serious'. There are less drums, synths, and hard guitars, and instead a number of quieter songs with more piano and orchestral arrangements. Jean Sebastien fans will enjoy the sublime duet with Dominque Magloire accompanied by the piano. Jean's cover of La quête (Jacques Brel) is another chance to show off his classical-broadway singing style.

Jean Sebastien fans and Nouvelle Star viewers will want to check this album out. This music may also appeal to those who loved Eric Mouquet's production and arrangement of Ana Torroja's last album. Deep Forest fans looking for something worldly and electronic may want to pass this one up.

Je Me Souviendrai can now be purchased in France as well as a number of other European countries including Germany and Switzerland. Canada can expect to see the album June 8, 2004.