CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG RETURNS TO MUSIC WITH NEW ALBUM

12.01.06

Charlotte Gainsbourg - one of the greatest stars of modern French cinema - has resumed her recording career with '5:55', an album created in collaboration with such luminaries as Jarvis Cocker, the French duo Air, and The Divine Comedy?s Neil Hannon. The album will be released April 24th in the U.S. by Because Music/Vice/Atlantic.

'5:55' was recorded in Paris and produced by Nigel Godrich, the Grammy-winning English producer whose numerous credits include acclaimed work with Radiohead, Beck, Travis, Paul McCartney, and many others.

Air?s Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoit Dunckel wrote and played the music on the album, with Jarvis Cocker, Neil Hannon, and Charlotte Gainsbourg contributing lyrics. David Campbell, the esteemed Canadian composer, was responsible for the string arrangements. The father of Beck, Campbell has previously worked with his son as well as with such artists as Elton John, Leonard Cohen, and Michael Jackson.

The album?s line-up was completed by the great Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, revered for his work with Fela Kuti and recently described by Brian Eno as 'the greatest musician on the planet.'

The daughter of legendary French poet and singer Serge Gainsbourg and famed English actress Jane Birkin, Charlotte made her recording debut at the age of 13 with CHARLOTTE FOR EVER, a collection of songs written by her father. Her most recent music projects have included the spoken intro to Madonna?s 2001 hit, 'What It Feels Like For A Girl,' and backing vocals on Badly Drawn Boy?s album, HAVE YOU FED THE FISH?

Released in Europe in late August, '5:55' debuted at #1 on the French album chart and has hit the platinum mark with sales of 300,000 copies. The album has already garnered press raves on both sides of the Atlantic. In its 5-star review, London?s Observer Music Monthly noted, 'Charlotte Gainsbourg has returned to music with an album that is every bit as daring and sophisticated as the best of her father?s work. More to the point, ?5:55? reveals Charlotte? as a stunning interpreter of songs and situations? sharp and literate.' Writing in The New York Times, Sia Michel stated, 'The actress Charlotte Gainsbourg has an impeccably cool pedigree? Twenty years after her solo debut, she returns with a beautifully moody new album, ?5:55,? with its own impeccably cool pedigree? Ms. Gainsbourg captures the feel of ?the very dead of night/where space and time stand still.?

Charlotte Gainsbourg has appeared in some 30 films - including director Alejandro González Iñárritu?s Oscar-nominated 21 Grams (2003), Dominick Moll?s Lemming (2005), and Michel Gondry?s recently released The Science of Sleep.

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