The French composers and producers, Frederic Auteil and Bernard-Benet Paul have created the latest and most defining sound in the category of lounge and sophisticated downtempo with their debut CD, “Flora Y Fauna” on Rasa Music. Like other artists inspired by the cool NuJazz chilled scene of Europe, Boozoo Bajou, Zero 7, Koop, Goldfrapp, Kruder & Dorfmeister amongst them, there is a deepness, melancholy, euphoric reverie and sophistication in the unique sound of Benet’s new work.

Benet are both huge fans of the French director, Claude Sautet..Says Bernad-Benet, “Sautet’s work always has an edge to it. At first look, it’s all elegant and swinging but when you scratch the surface just a little bit you find a darker side. And in a similar way that Sautet uses deliberately slow and revelatory pacing to tell a story, it’s this pacing that drives us too!” Benet sees their album as a kind of tribute to the Sautet movie, “Les Choses Da La Vie” which features a carcrash filmed in slow-motion at the end of the movie which became a milestone in 60’s cinema.

In a sense, Benet regard themselves rather as directors of a collective rather than a producing duo. “We are writing a script, we are chosing the cast and we take care of the recording. But the final movie comes into existence in the head and heart of the listener.” Benet’s debut, “Flora Y Fauna” may at first be a soothing and relaxing lounge experience, but the end of the film will hold some surprises for you…