On September 8, the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games put the French Touch in the spotlight. Justice was done to this French version of house which has been a fixture in clubs around the world since the 1990s. On the stage of the Stade de France, rising stars of French electro (Irène Drésel, Anetha, etc.) mingled with legends. Among them, Hubert “Boombass” Blanc-Francard, half of Cassius, rekindled the flame of the legendary group which had come to a sudden end five years previously. On the eve of the release of his latest album Dreems (2019), Philippe “Zdar” Cerboneschi, other half of the duo, died tragically after falling from a Parisian balcony.
“Boombass” refused to pursue Cassius alone. In August 2021, the artist told his story in his autobiography. A first step in mourning. The DJ sets of recent months have finally convinced him to reconsider his decision. He misses Cassius, and Hubert Blanc-Francard puts on his suit again to carry out a long-standing project that has never been completed: a best of compiling the most emblematic titles of the group, which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its first album.
From MC Solaar to Ed Banger
Cassius was already remembered fondly in the Arte documentary event on DJ Mehdi, released in mid-September. Boombass paid a vibrant tribute to his ex-colleague Ed Banger (French label which has become an international reference), a major figure in hip-hop and electronic music who also left prematurely.
Like him, Boombass and Philippe Zdar started with hip-hop at the dawn of the 90’s. Producers, musicians and sound engineers, they participate in the emergence of MC Solaar on He who sows the wind reaps the tempo, in 1991, then on the legendary Prose Combat (1994). Mixing house, funk, techno and rap, the future pioneers find each other through their experience of sampling. The two tinkerers formed a friendship that would give birth to five albums, for as many universes.
Besides the single Dinapolynever released on streaming platforms, their greatest classics are compiled here: the club classic, Cassius 1999the single from their 2011 revival alongside Ed Banger I Love U sol’excellent The Sound of violence (To the dream2002) fueled by British singer Steve Edwards (voice of the memorable World, Hold onby Bob Sinclar)…
An international tour
Saturated vocals, well-felt guitar riffs, catchy percussion combine in sounds dedicated to the dancefloor, bursting with inventiveness. We also find the soulful and deliciously 2000s hit Toop Toopmarking the group’s pop-rock turn on 15 Again (2006), the oppressor Youth Speed Trouble Cigarettes (2009) and its heady siren, or the ultra-rhythmic collaboration with Pharrell Williams and Cat Power on Go up (Ibifornia, 2016).
And the reissue of the 20 titles is just one step. After its October 9 date at the Rex Club, version 2.0. by Cassius will return to the stage for an international tour. The big names of the French Touch who paved the way for the group will also be there. Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk), Phoenix and Pedro Winter (co-founder of Ed Banger) are expected to accompany “Boombass” on stage, as well as a host of emerging artists. For Cassius is no more a solitary adventure today than he once was.
Cassius – Best of 1996-2019de Cassius, Because.
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