Toi et moi

Released to coincide with the annual Cannes ceremony that launches the world's largest music industry trade fair, MIDEM, NRJ Music Awards 2011 is a celebration of the best French and international music from the previous 12 months. The 42-track compilation features all but one of the 11 artists who were awarded on the night (Lady Gaga & Beyoncé's "Telephone," winner for Video of the Year, is surprisingly omitted), including double winners Black Eyed Peas (Concert and International Group of the Year), Shakira (Female and International Song of the Year for "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" although follow-up "Loca" is included here instead) and Gallic R&B singer M. Pokora (Francophone Male and Song of the Year for "Juste Unee Photo de Toi"). Of course, no 2011 awards ceremony would be complete without Justin Bieber, and the recipient of International Revelation of the Year inevitably crops up here on "Somebody to Love," alongside Usher ("More"), who picked up the gong for International Male Artist if the Year, and Flo Rida, who was given the accolade of Hit of the Year for "Club Can't Handle Me." But as the majority of the tracks from the U.S.- and U.K.-based artists can be found on countless other compilations, it's the native French contributions which give this companion to the NRJ Radio and TF1 TV-partnered show its own identity. In addition to internet discovery Joyce Jonathan ("I Do Not Know"), Star Academy winner Jenifer ("I Dance"). and French-Algerian soul vocalist Zaho ("Heartless"), all of whom scooped statues for Francophone Revelation, Female, and Group/Duet of the Year, respectively, the latter with Canadian singer/songwriter Justin Nozuka, there are also contributions from former tennis player-turned-singer Yannick Noah ("That's My Business"), Nouvelle Star finalist Camélia Jordana ("No No No"), and pop/rock outfit Superbus ("My Faults"). Ignore the ubiquitous international offerings, and NRJ Music Awards 2011 provides a pretty exciting snapshot of the current French musical climate. ~ Jon O'Brien