Les Guetteurs - Tempête (Soulbeats Records)

According to lead singer and guitarist François-Joseph 'Fratoun' Ambroselli, the album's title refers to the "inner storms" that can affect our daily lives. But 'Tempête' also offers an answer, particularly emphasized in 'Les Épines': "N'ayons pas peur, soyons en paix malgré la tempête, car Dieu est à nos côtés!" or "Let's not be afraid; let's be at peace despite the storm, for God is by our side!".

The album cover, meanwhile, is clearly inspired by 'Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee', a painting by Rembrandt van Rijn. The largely semi-acoustic 'Tempête' features several guest musicians. For opening track 'On Est', Les Guetteurs invited former Spear Hit vocalist Fratcha. Spear Hit was another Christian reggae band from France, active between 1999 and 2008, and drummer Benji and guitarist FonF also contributed on 'Tempête'. The song itself is an adaptation of an unreleased Spear Hit track.

Les Guetteurs collaborated with Hopen, a Christian pop group consisting of brothers Antoine, Camille, Armand and Charles Auclair, on 'Aime Et Fais Ce Que Tu Veux', but the album's most striking duet is 'Vita Bella', featuring mezzo-soprano Violaine Colin, who brings a touch of opera into the mix.

The band also brought in instrumentalists for 'Tempête'. The classical or Spanish guitar in 'Là-Haut' is played by Spanish flamenco guitarist Pablo Dominguez, while cellist Ferréol Foillard lends his talents to the intimate 'No More Trouble'.

Our personal highlights? The Manu Chao-esque 'Stay With Me' and love song 'Ma Louve' ("my she-wolf").

Catchy album from a Christian reggae band that manages to deliver its message without forcing it down the listener's throat.