After giving an eventful concert in Antibes/Juan-les-Pins in July '61, Ray Charles went back to France in October, but this time to Paris for a series of memorable performances. This set was prepared by Jo�l Dufour, one of the world's specialists in matters concerning Brother Ray, and it's historic value makes it essential listening... because it contains the only live performances where Ray Charles swapped his piano for a Hammond organ. With 25 previously unreleased titles and bonuses, this special release provides a brand-new perspective of the man nicknamed the Genius, a generous, virtuoso musician who enjoyed an imperial reign.

LIVE IN PARIS OCTOBRE 1958

Between May 17 and 25, 1962, Ray Charles, "The Genius", returned to Paris for a series of memorable concerts. And he was at his peak, fronting his big band and accompanied by his Raelets led by a dazzling Margie Hendrix. This 3-album set prepared by Jo�l Dufour with the help of Michel Brilli� and Gilles P�tard contains previously unreleased material and bonus tracks that include recordings made in Ray's own studio, where he plays piano alongside his favorite artists, Percy Mayfield and Louis Jordan. And this set has a must: "Blue Stone" is a great instrumental with Ray playing alto, but he never recorded it in a studio. And you can listen to it here!

He remains one of the greatest musical icons of the 20th century, and Ray Charles is considered a rock 'n' roll pioneer, the Genius of Soul and modern R&B, and also the inventor of Pop. This analysis by Joel Dufour is a focus on Ray's universe almost from birth, and it highlights the excitement that Ray created in the decades fifties and sixties. Here the spotlight on his music ("His Inspiration") covers jazz, gospel, country and blues before moving on ("His Influence") to emphasise how his music spread out to reach such artists as The Everly Brothers, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Booker T & the MGs, Harry Belafonte, and Elvis Presley. This is the Ray Charles "revolution" explained by it's greatest specialist.

In the early 1960s, an instrumental, electric guitar rock sound alluding to the California surf trend was born. This sunny world, a symbol of freedom, dating in bathing suits, big waves and suntanned athletes soon inspired songs on this theme. Bruno Blum reflects on the roots and birth of surf rock and it's precursors, unveiling and commenting on compelling recordings by Sol Ho'opi'i from Hawaii, Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy and some early surf rock performers including The Ventures, Dick Dale and The Revels. And of course vocal groups such as the Beach Boys, who started off singing about the surf world, an integral part of the American myth.

The violin is not an instrument that one readily associates with jazz. And yet it has always been part of black American music. This 2-CD set covers the 1927-1944 period and presents the best violin players in the history of jazz. Features Stephane Grappelli, Joe Venuti, Stuff Smith, Svend Asmussen, Eddie South Michel Warlop and many others. Includes a 40 page booklet with both French and English notes.

(2-CD set) "He gathers us around a gypsy campfire and takes us away from our spiritual families (what I mean is from our daily routine)..." Jean Cocteau

(2-CD set) Silk-stringed instruments & Chines Storytelling with music

(2-CD set) The harmonica, thanks to the blues, today enjoys immense favour and has become an essential feature of the current popular-music scene. This collection traces the evolution of the harmonica in the black music of prewar America, from minstrel shows through to Chicago blues. It includes an extremely practical technical study for harmonica players. Includes a 32 page booklet with both French and English notes.

(2-CD set) Bob Wills was one of the creators of Western Swing, somewhere between Country Music, jazz and blues. His work is impressive, versatile, danceable and full of swing. This boxed set retraces the best years of his long career (1932-47). Includes a 24 page booklet with both French and English notes.

(2-CD set) “And then he came on, already smiling, ‘cause he was really nice. He had a big smile with beautiful white teeth and a beautiful black moustache and he smiled at the audience. He came to play a bit. And what he gave was real music.” Fud CANDRIX. Includes a 40 page booklet with both French and English notes.

(2-CD set) USA 1947: the start of the cold war, launching of the Marshall Plan, creation of the CIA… Elvis Presley was 12, Carl Perkins 15. America was rocking and rolling to juke boxes and radios. With these Rock ‘n’ Roll albums you can tap your foot in time with American history. Includes a 48 page booklet with both French and English notes.

(4-CD set) SOUND ANTHOLOGY ON SOCIALISM - For the first time ever this sound anthology reunites 80 years of audible evidence which covers almost two centuries of history. This venture involved several years of research and comprises historical speeches as were made by the most influential personalities at the end of the 19th century and during the first thirty years of the 20th century, as well as rare recordings including workers' songs and an International dating back to 1899, the very year it was sung for the first time during a socialist congress. The anthology is complete with a 200 page book which explains in detail the historical context behind each recording and which includes a variety of illustrations. -

(2-CD set) "His name may not loom large, but he has left his indelible mark on the century". Includes a 16 page booklet with both French and English notes.

This boxed set reunites Raul Barboza’s first two albums made in France. For the first time the major titles recorded by this Argentinean accordionist have been selected, finding him in the company of a great variety of artists who sought after his collaboration since he has been living in Paris. This unprecedented compilation is offered with a new recording by Raul Barboza - one of his most memorable concerts given during the tenth accordion festival held in Montmagny (Quebec). Includes a 40 page booklet with both French and English notes.

"Whereas I would not have recommended this a while back, I now advise you to include Reda Caire’s “Le plus beau refrain”, “Jeunesse” and “Ma banlieue” in your record collection". Robert DESNOS. Reda Caire is an outstanding figure of French song. He was born in Egypt though his mother was French and moved to France aspiring to become a singer in the late 1920's. His ascent was to take a few years, but his glory survived until World War II and he acted as a bridge with a new generation of talented singers such as Brel, Aznavour, Ferre, etc. This 2-CD set features his 1934-1962 recordings. Includes a 40 page booklet with both French and English notes.

(2-CD set) "God is in the house tonight" Fats WALLER. Includes a 24 page booklet with both French and English notes.

This group created in 1977, within the congolese evangelist church, opened up to north American music without loosing their african roots. The result is free and universal.

(2-CD set) “What musically moves me the most ? There’s Ravel’s Valses Nobles et Sentimentales (...). I can’t forget Bach’s Toccata and Fugue where the music reaches my heart and makes me cry. Debussy is maybe the closest to my musical ideal as in him I can find the sensitivity and intelligence that I demand from all music”. Django REINHARDT. Includes a 40 page booklet with both French and English notes.

(2-CD set) The golden age of dancing et cabarets from the Antillas in Paris. Fascinating 22-page booklet to revive memories of the glorious days of the Bal Colonial in Paris's rue Blomet.

(2-CD set) A key contributor to modern Chicago blues. Includes a 32 page booklet with both French and English notes.

Baden Powell, the legendary Brazilian guitarist - Recorded in Paris - 1994

(2-CD set) The best recordings of Johnnie Temple, one of the first to bring the Delta sound into the Chicago Blues. Includes a 32 page booklet with both French and English notes.

(2-CD set) Hawk took his hat off to no one. Includes a 16 page booklet with both French and English notes.

(2-CD set) “Playing jazz with three guitars, a violin and a bass, chamber-music fashion, was completely new. Like Django’s playing: a philharmonic orchestra in itself!”. Stephane GRAPPELLI. Includes a 40 page booklet with both French and English notes.