Ez3kiel in the battlefield

One of the most interesting band of the 2000s. They released their 6th album in 2008, Battlefield.

"A Piece of Africa mislaid close to the Sacré Coeur"

L'Orchestre National de Barbès (National Concert Band of Barbès) gives an electric blend of rock and musics of Maghreb (chaâbi, raï..). Why Barbès? Because it's the most mixed district of Paris, with a strong Arabic and African community.

Orchestre National de Barbès - Alik

If Django was alive in 2008

He could sound like Caravan Palace, a very good mix between electronic music and Gypsy jazz. They released their first album in october 2008.

Links: Myspace

I Love You

Matthieu Boogaerts is saying so in his 7th album released last month. One of the most singular and interesting album released in 2008.

Listen to the whole album on jiwa.fm
His Official website site

Brassens, an umbrella and a Gorilla

A gem of a song, 50 years before Rihanna. Notice the repetition of the sound [i] which suggests the sound of the rain, and the slow down during the Chorus, like time has stopped under the umbrella.

Georges Brassens - Le Parapluie


One of the most famous song of Brassens, a funny tale against death penalty. The song is one of his most controversial and was banned of French radio for years.

Georges Brassens - Le Gorille (uploaded by Lightening494).

Kitch is everywhere

Mayde, Mayde, 80's are back. Sometimes, it would be better not to dig up cheesy French hits.

France Gall - Ella Elle l'a written by Michel Berger, 1987. Ella, She has it, is about Ella Fitzgerald.



Kate Ryan - Ella Elle L'a 2008

Winter in Paris and Autumn Leaves

As the last leaves have fallen to the ground in Paris, a little selection of nice covers (among many others) of the standard Autumn Leaves, by Yves Montand, Edith Piaf, Miles Davis, Nate King Cole and Roger Williams. The song was written in 1945 with music by Joseph Kosma and lyrics by the poet Jacques Prévert.