Josh Groban has returned with his much anticipated third album Awake, featuring two more songs from Eric Mouquet of Deep Forest. Eric and Josh's first collaboration brought together Remember When it Rained and Never Let Go on the album Closer (2003), which sold more than 5 millions copies in the US.

On Josh's second album he was given some room to experiment on songs like Never Let Go which was completely different than any of the music he had performed before. On Awake, Josh wanted to experiment even more, shifting himself further from classical and closer to pop.

Production on Awake began in early 2006 at Eric's studio in France. Eric had composed a few song ideas in anticipation for Josh's visit, and when he arrived they spent a couple days working in the studio, composing the title song Awake and Machine. The song Awake is a soft, somewhat solemn ballad along the lines of Remember When it Rained, with Josh playing piano again, accompanied by some light strings and subtle synth pads. It's surprising and unfortunate that the title song, and a song that many of Josh's fan's have named as a favorite, is only available as a bonus track on the special CD/DVD edition.

The second song they composed, was a chance for the two to experiment. Machine is quite a contrast from the other music on the album. Although the song isn't officially under the name Deep Forest, it certainly has some unmistakable Deep Forest qualities, like the prominent flute samples, muffled ethnic voices, and electronic programming. Machine was completed in the summer when Eric flew to L.A. to record with a dream-team of artists, including Herbie Hancock on his beloved Rhodes electric piano, and trumpets from Tower of Power. The eclectic sound could be described as electro-funk with a small touch of world music. The composition's interesting sound apparently worried Warner Music, and Josh had to fight to get it on the album.

Josh Groban has continued his successful career with Awake which has already sold 1.6 million albums just under 3 months. Eric said, "The collaboration was very constructive and creative, Josh spent 2 weeks in my studio and we did a lot of music together, not only the 2 songs you know of, but a lot of improvisations and research. I will meet him next week in Paris [November 2006], I’m sure we will continue to work together as we have a lot of music complicity! As a singer, he is terrific! His voice is a dream in the studio, so easy and so beautiful!".

Josh Groban

Josh & Eric

Josh on Piano

Pierre Jacquot & Josh

Eric Mouquet's Studio

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Studio Photos courtesy of Pierre Jacquot.