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| Monique - 'Paris Lite' One of the more eclectic new albums for spring 2007 comes in the form of 'Paris Lite' (Irregular Records), the latest release from UK-based French singer-songwriter Monique and featuring her new Paris Lite Band. 'Paris Lite' is a sophisticated and in places funny album that catches Monique's highly individual mix of World, Jazz and the Great French Songbook, shot through with her very own wry and sexy humour. The album is sung mainly in English though she effortlessly includes French and Corsican. "I wanted to reflect the fun side of French chanson, in English for a British audience, ' she says and has included 10 of her own songs about French life, sex and food - 'He Made Paris Move For Me' and 'Pissed on Pastis' will bring a smile, while she tackles the smokers of Paris in 'Espace non fumeur' and pays homage to Gerard Depardieu in 'Gerard'. She sings darker material with equal deftness. The only singer currently promoting Corsican music in Britain, Monique covers the Corsican hit 'Companero' on this release and also includes classic French chanson, with Charles Trenet's Boum in a new reggae version and a translation of a Juliet Gréco hit. Born and brought up in the South of France, Monique studied singing, accordion and piano at the Conservatoire in Nimes. After completing her studies she travelled extensively throughout Europe and Africa before settling in London. Now firmly established on the UK music scene, Monique's exciting live shows with the six-piece Paris Lite Band include her Mediterranean and North African influences and she is showcasing 'Paris Lite' in select dates for Spring 2007. 'It's a show especially for the British, ' says Monique. 'While it complements the music of Pink Martini from the States, Paris Combo from France, I Muvrini from Corsica, Paolo Conte from Italy and Souad Massi from Algeria, if you like the comedy songs of Fascinating Aida, Victoria Wood, Flanders & Swann and Kit & the Widow, then this show is for you!' write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |