Zydeco is the fruit of the unique encounter between the blues and the Creole/Cajun music of the Black French population of Louisiana. Born in the bayou in hidden, inhospitable regions, zydeco is the magnificent folk music of a minority culture in the USA that was long threatened with extinction. Irresistibly dancing and dynamic, with a spicy brilliance that today has more life than ever before, this crossbreed music fully deserves its place in the pantheon of great American popular music traditions. Here Jean Buzelin retraces the whole history of zydeco with a collection of its best recordings accompanied by an illustrated, 28 page booklet. Patrick FReMEAUX

The Cajun legacy has a strong cultural identity - cuisine, hospitality, fishing, festivals, dancing and music - with ties to the history of both France and the New World. This great popular music tradition makes no distinction between professionals and amateurs, giving legitimacy to those whose music serves to defend the Cajun philosophy of life, "Let the good times roll." Marine biologist Tommy Michot (accordion, harmonica, vocals) and violinist Rick Michot (a District Court judge in Lafayette) have put together an excellent record, filled with rich musicological contributions to the Cajun legacy. It reveals the timeless nature of a collective memory spanning two and a half centuries.