Jacques, what do you find to be the most challenging aspect of recording a new album?

In terms of composition and arranging, it's important to decide what is enough and making sure it sounds natural, not overworked, and this may be challenging to a point. My brother once told me a composer has to make a phenomenal effort in making the music easy and pleasant to listen to. So we spend a lot of time doing all the work necessary to make the albums foot-tapping friendly and harmonious, but at the same time we want it to be sophisticated. However, the mixing is where you want to excel. So I have to admit that this last process is somewhat critical and very challenging.

Yves Adam, what would your top “desert island” classic albums be, regardless of genre… the albums you turn to time after time for your own personal enjoyment and inspiration?

Well I would say there are at least four albums I would bring with me: Kind of Blue, by Miles Davis, Stan Getz with Gilberto, the bossa nova album, Friday Night at Cadillac Club by Bob Berg, and Mister Magic by Grover Washignton. Listening to these artists always made me want to keep expressing myself through music.

And you Jacques ? What albums would you bring on a desert island?

For me it would be Prelude by Deodato, Magic Time by a group called OPA with keyboard player Hugo Fattoruso, You Must Believe In Spring by Bill Evans and Heavy Weather by Weather Report, because it contains one of my favorite ballads of all times: "A remark you made".

Yves Nadeau, who would you say has been the single biggest influence in your life in getting you to where you are now in your career?

It’s so hard to pin point only one person who influenced me the most in my career choices, but I must admit that Marcus Miller, among others, has certainly guided me quite a bit. But not only for his outstanding skill as a bass player, but also for is ability to create and perform music with so much soul. He’s the real thing, no doubt about it.

Also Yves, who currently is drawing your attention as artists you’re excited about?

Many are, just think of newcomers such as Hiromi the Japanese pianist and Esperenza Spalding both for their remarquable virtuosity, and pros like Fourplay, Lee Ritenour, Marcus Miller, Jeff Lorber - I could go on and on - that still find a way to evolve album after album. There are lots of great artists to listen to these days.

Jacques, what are you most proud of at this point in your life and carreer ?

I would say it's hearing our songs on the radio. This is just... wonderful. Thanks to SmoothJazz.com and other stations, our music is being heard by many and this is very rewarding. And I'm certain I speak for all of us in the group when I say that. The group is very proud to have Mino Cinelu and Rick Braun on our third album. It's as if each of these two musicians has given us a diamond. We are also quite happy with the quality of the production we were able to reach. But most of all, we are proud of the reaction of people to our new album "Voyage". The feedback we're getting is very very good ! People tell us they love listening to the album, and that's what it's all about, isn't it ?