Rockabilly derives from bluegrass, country boogie and the African-American rock ‘n’ roll genre, borrowing much from the latter. Its rise coincided with rock’s early popularity with a mass audience. Intense, incomparable and spirited, rockabilly is a style apart, defined by an aesthetic of great purity that is both simple and efficient. It was an emblem in 1950s America and the legendary recordings forming its foundations had exceptional quality. They were so influential that they led to several resurrections. Compiled and annotated by Bruno Blum, this set’s recordings represent the cream of original rockabilly in an essential anthology. Patrick FReMEAUX

The best Jamaican musicians brought a substantial, masterful contribution to jazz. Their belated recognition reveals truly original, spirited and sophisticated styles. At long last, the rare, little known albeit greatest recordings of the founders of Jamaican jazz are gathered here, fully annotated in a 32-page booklet by Bruno Blum. They include strong personalities such as Wilton Gaynair, Cecil Lloyd, Billy Cooke; Ernest Ranglin’s quirky guitar playing and groundbreaking afro-jazz by Count Ossie’s drum orchestra, as well as the legendary Joe Harriott, Roland Alphonso, Tommy McCook, Don Drummond and Rico Rodriguez. These musicians, who were about to create ska and reggae, breathe stunning life into swing, mento, blues, hard bop and soul jazz. PATRICK FReMEAUX

This is one of the most “cult” experimental records in the entire history of jazz. Jo Jones, an immense drummer—a pioneering reformer with peerless technique—here gives us a complete demonstration of his art. Part 1 is devoted to drumming technique while Part 2 focuses on the great historical drummers in classical jazz. First released as two separate vinyl records in 1974, these titles were digitized, restored and reassembled in 2002 by Laurent Verdeaux, who also proposed extended versions. This is a vital set: it improves the quality of the listening-experience and increases the historic experimental value while enhancing the quality of the music. Drum-records, of course, but not just for drummers, whether they are amateurs or experts: this set is just as much for musicians, jazz fans, music historians and beat makers of all kinds.

Charleston, Black Bottom, Swing… the great Jazz of the Roaring Twenties was first of all a music to be danced to! This CD belongs to the “Dance Master Classics” anthology, a collection of 20 discs compiled by specialists in each of dancing’s domains. Gathered here in almost exhaustive fashion for the very first time, this a panorama of the best titles in dancehistory, grouped by aesthetic form, follow one special guiding principle: to magnify the relationship between dancers and music. Noël Herve & Patrick Fremeaux

“A tantalizing cocktail of rhythm and jocularity.”

A Counter History of Philosophy by famous French philosopher Michel Onfray - with 400 000 records sold until today! This volume #09 is dedicated to the studie of the early 19th century. "A parallel history of thinking, that rehabilitates the hedonist and materialist tradition, that resuscitates the gnostics, libertines, baroques, dyonisiac socialists, free spirits and other visionaries..." Robert Maggiori, Liberation

“This record was produced in the context of the museum work of Guillaume Veillet (a collector and former editor of Trad Magazine), so as to make available to the public a broad panorama of French traditional music. It is one of a collection of 10 CDs, divided geographically by region, that aim to document popular contributions to the history and contem porary nature of our cultural and artistic heritage.” Benjamin Goldenstein

(2-CD set) Innovative and inspired country music guitarists participated in the glorification of this instrument, along with their blues and jazz contemporaries. This boxed-set presents a selection of guitar country masterpieces, covering debuting country music right up to the dawning of Rock’n’Roll. Includes a 40 page booklet with both French and English notes.

Olivier Julien’s selection highlights the earlier recordings of French singer Barbara, whose voice, before she became known as “The Lady in Black”, was one of the greatest to be heard in such Left Bank cabarets as L’Ecluse. Barbara made this period a Golden Age, singing the works of Brassens, Brel and Moustaki (and indeed her own compositions) with a sense of humour, gravity and mystery. Her artistic sensibility and vocal technique led the art of French Chanson to its peak: the equal of Piaf, Barbara was the greatest lady in French song. Patrick FReMEAUX

In the entire history of jazz there has never been a team to compare with Milt Buckner and Jo Jones. Never has music so rich and so complex been produced by just two musicians. (Hugues PANASSI�, 1971) This set contains every "Buck & Jo" record session produced by Louis and Hugues Panassi� from 1971 to 1974, in other words, music by a fantastic drummer, Jo Jones, together with organist Milt Buckner, also a jazz legend, and the man who played a special role in making the Hammond organ so popular, beginning in the early Fifties. Listen to the entente between the two musicians right from the very first note: this 4-album set, compiled and restored by Laurent Verdeaux, delivers some of the finest and most intense moments in Swing.

Both the public and the critics have been won over by Django A la Creole, the group led by Evan Christopher, no doubt the greatest jazz clarinettist on today’s New Orleans scene. Reaching the end of a hugely successful world tour, the band decided to record a live album that would show the rapport they’d created with audiences thanks to the extraordinary colour and savour of their music. And here it is. Soaring swing, soft and elegant Creole excursions, sidesteps into bossa nova… its taste explodes in your mouth like a great wine. The music is intimate and generous, and the band goes way beyond gypsy swing and the jazz of New Orleans: the concept here is to take music outside the notion of genres. In fact, Django A la Creole is a genre of its own: a fantastic universe of sound somewhere between the Old World and the New. Combining solid roots with crossbred identities and the simple pleasure of playing, this is music we can all share. Augustin BONDOUX

In this selection, the Cuban Habanera is presented with similar Brazilian dances little known in our cultures: Choro, Frevo, Baião, Maxixe… This CD belongs to the “Dance Master Classics” anthology, a collection of 20 discs compiled by specialists in each of dancing’s domains. Gathered here in almost exhaustive fashion for the very first time, this a panorama of the best titles in dancehistory, grouped by aesthetic form, follow one special guiding principle: to magnify the relationship between dancers and music. Noël HERVe & Patrick FReMEAUX

Noël en Provence nous fait decouvrir la richesse du patrimoine provencal. Compose et ecrit aux XVIe et XVIIe siecles en Avignon. Art populaire dans une tradition pastorale, ce Noël en Provence interprete par les musiciens chanteurs et conteurs de l’ensemb

This 12 CD box delivers a masterpiece in the history of both Broadcasting and French literature: the complete recordings of Paul Claudel interviews by Jean Amrouche, realized for the National Broadcasts in 1951 and 1952. In French.

Throughout the ages, people have danced to the rhythms of music, and dancers have always expected musicians to perform at their artistic best. In their exchanges, dancing – music’s authentic physical representation – has today developed into an entirely separate art-form. Jazz, rock, tango – and many other major forms of musical expression now familiar in concerts, shows or films – would doubtless have never existed if dancing hadn’t been music’s primary function. To reach the body, heart and soul at the same time, music composed and played for dancing fully requires all of music’s qualities. This collection of dances from around the world – an anthology selected by specialists in each one of these styles – proves how true this is, thanks to the best titles in dance-history. The selections here, sorted by aesthetic form, were chosen with one thing in mind: to show the relationship between dancing and music. Noël HERVe & Patrick FReMEAUX