the French X factor

France is not one of the likeliest places to find big pop records. From time to time, the cafe strewn streets of Europe's art and fashion hub throw up some surprises.

Enter Christophe Willem, to whom I was introduced this year when "Prismophonic", his third studio longplayer, was a hit during my trip to Paris.



It was released a little over a year ago and has had three singles plucked from it - "Cool", "Si Mes Larmes Tombent" and "Starlite", the best of the lot, IMHO, which boasts some fine mixes from Freemasons even though it regurgitates the hook from "Ain't Nobody" for the umpteenth time.







"Prismophonic" also features some of Kylie's co-conspirators. Steve Anderson makes an appearance as does Richard "Biff" Stannard and Richard X. Kylie even lands a writing credit on the song, "Pas Si Loin".

Christophe first gained stardom when he won "Nouvelle Star", a television program in the "Idol" franchise. A few years ago, he went on the French edition of "X Factor" as judge. His profile has remained quite high in his homeland while being relatively unknown in the rest of the world.

He hopes that's about to change as he prepares the launch of "Love Shot Me Down", the English language version of "Prismophonic". The first single is the title track and it has been reswizzled by none other than Richard X. The original French version is called "L'amour Me Gagne".

Christophe Willem - "Love Shot Me Down" (Richard X Remix)

And here is the English language version of "Starlite".

light and love

In a surprise move, it appears Sony are going to release a FIFTH single from Hurts' debut longplayer, "Happiness". Is this 1985?

"Illuminated" is scheduled to be released as a double a-side with "Better Than Love" at the beginning of May. You might recall that "Better Than Love" was the first, official single from Theo and Adam.

Sadly, upon first release, "Better Than Love" could only manage a lacklustre placing on the UK singles chart at #50. Honestly, the mixes weren't terribly exciting. However, fresh from their blinding reswizzling of Hurts' "Wonderful Life", Freemasons are having a go at "Better Than Love" along with Death In Vegas and Burns.

Now, let's step it up a notch, lads. Issue that Paul Van Dyk remix of "Sunday" and you will have a blindingly good single on your hands. If not that, at least put together one of those deluxe editions of the album that the labels are so fond of throwing out to a disinterested public. I would actually purchase that one! Make it happen!

your sweetness is my weakness

The return of Sophie Ellis-Bextor to the hit parade is marked by "Bittersweet", another stellar contribution from Freemasons. The music video just surfaced. Shall we take a peek?



Feathers! Glittering confetti! Brightly colored paint! Trampolines! It's nearly Cirque de Soleil.

The track has some lovely, little "Blue Monday" bits in it. And it has a similar feeling and sound to "The One" by Kylie Minogue which was produced by Freemasons, as well. I know I'm stirring the pot when I say "The One" really should've been the lead single from Kylie's "X". A missed opportunity. Let's hope "Bittersweet" does the business for SEB.

When the hell is she dropping that album?