Overview

Deep Forest is a French electronic and world music project founded in the early 1990s.

Internationally recognized for its unique fusion of electronic music, ambient textures and ethnic influences, Deep Forest became one of the pioneering projects of what would later be described as ethnic electronica and ambient world music.

The project gained worldwide success with the release of the iconic single “Sweet Lullaby” from the debut album Deep Forest in 1992. Over the years, Deep Forest has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and received numerous international awards, including a Grammy Award.

Originally created by Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez, Deep Forest has continued since 2005 as the solo project of Eric Mouquet.

Today, Deep Forest continues to explore new musical territories through collaborations, immersive productions, modular synthesis, orchestral works and world music influences from across the globe.

The Beginning

Deep Forest’s story began in the north of France in the early 1990s.

Inspired by ethnic music, jazz, ambient atmospheres and electronic sounds, Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez developed a musical approach that combined modern electronic production with traditional vocal recordings and world influences.

This innovative fusion quickly attracted international attention and helped create an entirely new musical identity.

In 1992, Deep Forest released its first self-titled album through Sony Music. The album became an international success thanks to the hit single “Sweet Lullaby”, which introduced the Deep Forest sound to audiences worldwide.

The project’s music was often described as:

• ethnic electronica

• ambient world music

• ethno-introspective electronic music

International Success

1992 — Deep Forest

The debut album Deep Forest was released worldwide by Sony Music.

The album became a major international success and established Deep Forest as one of the first projects successfully blending electronic music with ethnic and world music influences.

“Sweet Lullaby” became a worldwide hit and remains one of the project’s most iconic tracks.

1993 — World Mix

In 1993, Deep Forest released World Mix through Sony Music.

The album expanded the project’s international audience and reinforced its unique musical identity.

1994 — Grammy Nomination

In 1994, Deep Forest received a Grammy Award nomination in the category:
Best World Music Album.

This recognition helped establish Deep Forest as one of the most influential world/electronic crossover projects of its era.

1995 — Boheme and Grammy Award

In 1995, Deep Forest released the album Boheme through Sony Music.

The album won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, making Deep Forest one of the first French projects to receive this prestigious distinction internationally.

The same year, Deep Forest also received the World Music Award for achieving the highest worldwide sales as a French group.

Deep Forest collaborated with Peter Gabriel on the song:
“While The Earth Sleeps”
for the film Strange Days, directed by Kathryn Bigelow.

Worldwide Tours and Expanding Sound

Between 1996 and 2002, Deep Forest sold millions of albums worldwide and performed concerts across many countries.

The project continued developing its signature blend of electronic production and world music influences.

1997 — Comparsa

Release of Comparsa (Sony Music).

The album explored Latin and world music influences while maintaining the project’s atmospheric electronic identity.

1999 — Made In Japan

Release of Made In Japan, a live album recorded during concerts in Japan.

2000 — Pacifique

Release of Pacifique (Sony Music).

The album explored cinematic atmospheres and ocean-inspired soundscapes.

2002 — Music Detected

Release of Music Detected (Sony Music).

The album featured collaborations with several international artists and expanded Deep Forest’s musical direction into contemporary electronic and world fusion.

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Collaborations and Productions

Throughout the years, Deep Forest and Eric Mouquet collaborated with many internationally respected artists including:

• Peter Gabriel

• Youssou N’Dour

• Cesaria Evora

• Jon Anderson

• Big Blue Ball

• Apollo 440

• Sally Oldfield

• Chitose Hajime

Eric Mouquet also composed music for films, television and international productions.

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Josh Groban and International Productions

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2003 — Josh Groban / Closer

Eric Mouquet collaborated with Josh Groban on the album Closer, which sold more than 7 million copies worldwide.

2003–2005 — International Productions

Eric Mouquet composed and produced music for several international artists including:

• Ana Torroja (Mecano)

• Lebo M

• Catherine Lara

• Jean-Sebastien Lavoie

2004 — Kusa No Ran

Eric Mouquet composed music for the Japanese film:
Kusa No Ran.

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Deep Forest Continues

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2005 — New Chapter

In 2005, Michel Sanchez left Deep Forest to pursue his solo career.

Since then, Deep Forest has continued as the solo project of Eric Mouquet.

2006 — Awake / Josh Groban

Eric Mouquet collaborated again with Josh Groban on the album Awake.

Legendary jazz musician Herbie Hancock performed electric piano on the track:
“Machine”.

2007 — New Studio and Deep Projects

Eric Mouquet moved his recording studio to the south of France.

This period also marked the launch of his own label imprint:
Deep Projects.

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New Musical Explorations

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2008 — Deep Brasil

Release of Deep Brasil, a collaboration with Brazilian artist Flavio Dell Isola.

The album blended Brazilian rhythms and Deep Forest’s atmospheric electronic production.

2008 — La Bohème

Eric Mouquet produced “La Bohème” featuring Josh Groban and Charles Aznavour.

2009–2011 — International Collaborations

Deep Forest performed internationally and collaborated with:

• Sa Ding Ding (China)

• Mell (Japan)

2012 — Zawinul Syndicate / Paco Sery

Eric Mouquet collaborated with the legendary Joe Zawinul Syndicate on the album:
Files Under Zawinul.

He also composed and produced tracks for drummer Paco Sery on the album:
La Vraie Vie.

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2013 — Deep Africa

Release of Deep Africa.

The album featured collaborations with African artists including:

• Lokua Kanza

• Blick Bassy

• Olyza Zamati

• Wasis Diop

• Zama Magudulela

• Dany De Mouataba

The project combined African vocals, traditional rhythms, percussion and atmospheric electronic production.

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2014 — Deep India

Release of Deep India in collaboration with renowned Indian Santoor player Rahul Sharma.

The album explored musical traditions and folk inspirations from multiple regions of India including:

• Rajasthan

• Punjab

• Gujarat

• Jammu

• Northeast India

• South India

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Live Performances and New Projects

2015

Deep Forest performed concerts in various countries.

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2016 — Evo Devo

Release of Evo Devo featuring the Russian vocal ensemble Oyme.

The album was also performed live internationally.

2017 — Epic Circuits

Deep Forest and Gaudi released the collaborative album:
Epic Circuits.

Deep Forest also participated in a project with the Ukrainian group ONUKA.

2018–2019 — International Tours

Deep Forest performed concerts in:

• Russia

• Chile

• Canada

• China

• Australia

• New Zealand

In 2019, Deep Forest also performed in China.

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New Era

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2020 — Deep Formosa

Release of Deep Formosa, produced by Eric Mouquet in collaboration with Taiwanese artists for Wind Music.

2020 — Siberian Trilogy

Deep Forest and Maria Matveeva received the World Russian Award for the project:
Siberian Trilogy.

2020 — Deep Symphonic

Release of Deep Symphonic.

The album reimagined classic Deep Forest compositions through symphonic and cinematic arrangements.

The project also explored immersive audio technologies using Ambidio Looking Glass spatial sound processing.

2021 — Eponymous

Release of Eponymous.

The album revisited and re-recorded iconic Deep Forest compositions from the original 1992 album.

2022 — Live @ EMM Studio

Release of Live @ EMM Studio, recorded during a live-streamed concert session in February 2021.

2022 — Kojo No Tsuki

Release of Kojo No Tsuki with Japanese artist Tsuji.

The artists later performed together at the prestigious Olympia venue in Paris.

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Onuka

2023 — Burning

Release of Burning.

The album featured collaborations with:

• Fakear

• Samifati

• Alune Wade

• Delaurentis

• Robert Babicz

The project combined modern electronic production with Deep Forest’s atmospheric and world-inspired sound identity.

2023 — Deep Ocean

Release of Deep Ocean, a charitable collaboration with Delaurentis.

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Modular and New Explorations

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2024 — Crystal Clear Modular

Release of Crystal Clear Modular, a collaboration with Olivier Delevingne focused on modular synthesizer-based compositions.

2024 — Remixes

Release of:

• “Allison Song” remix by Robert Babicz

• “Deep Forest 2024 Remix”

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2025 — Live Machine

Release of Live Machine, recorded live during the 2024 world tour.

2025 — Tree of Tranquility

Release of Tree of Tranquility, a collaboration with Rahul Sharma.

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Musical Style

Deep Forest combines:

• electronic music

• ambient textures

• ethnic vocal sampling

• world music influences

• cinematic atmospheres

• organic and electronic instrumentation

Eric Mouquet’s productions are known for blending traditional musical cultures with modern sound design and immersive electronic arrangements.

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Legacy

Deep Forest is widely recognized as one of the pioneering projects in the fusion of electronic music and world music.

The project helped popularize ethnic electronica and influenced generations of electronic and ambient artists worldwide.

More than three decades after its creation, Deep Forest continues to evolve through new collaborations, live performances and experimental productions while maintaining its distinctive atmospheric identity.