The French electronic pop duo Air has wrapped recording sessions for its widely-anticipated forthcoming album, 10,000 Hz Legend. Scheduled for a spring release, the proper follow-up to Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoit Dunckel's acclaimed 1998 debut album Moon Safari was recorded in Los Angeles and Paris last year, and features guest appearances from Beck, Jason Falkner and members of Buffalo Daughter.

Beck, who first collaborated with the band by remixing the Moon Safari-excerpted "Sexy Boy," appears on two tracks. Former Redd Kross drummer Brian Reitzell -- who recorded with Air on last year's Virgin Suicides soundtrack (which is up for a Brit Award) and drums with the group live -- has publicly proclaimed the disc "a masterpiece."

With 10,000 Hz Legend, Godin and Dunckel have enforced their self-imposed restriction against using any instruments that have appeared on past efforts. Striving to constantly reinvent their sound, the duo's new studio set promises to be very different from both Moon Safari and the Virgin Suicides soundtrack.

JOHN D. LUERSSEN
(January 23, 2001)