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