‘Birkin’s 1973 album Di Doo Dah was a brilliant confection of symphonic pop, filled with dark, strange songs every bit as fantastic as those on the albums Gainsbourg released under his own name in the early 70s, arguably the height of his powers: listen to the superb Encore Lui for proof’ (The Guardian).
With inimitable arrangements and orchestral direction by Jean-Claude Vannier.
The lyrics are transcribed and translated into English in the booklet, alongside some nice new photos.

Precious relics from Berlin, 1908. UNESCO has stumped up for a lavish presentation, with fine notes and translations; but surely the fly in the ointment is the difficulty of actually listening through the music.

First record as leader for the Mahavishnu drummer — featuring Tommy Bolin on guitar and Jan Hammer, keys — this is heavy fusion, with some deep funk. Massive Attack sampled Stratus for Safe From Harm.

‘Verve By Request.’

Two World Pacifics from 1959, The Swingers! and A Gasser! (featuring Annie Ross on her own). Straight songs and hip new renditions of great stuff like Little Niles, Four, Airegin, Now’s The Time.

With The Aces live in 1966, just a few months after Hoodoo Man Blues came out.

Basket-case rock and roll from 1958.

An awe-inspiring collection, including fifteen songs previously unreleased, from the early 60s. Just listen to the excerpt from his song about the racist murder of Emmett Till.

180g.

The so-called Royal Albert Hall Concert (recorded in Manchester). Like A Rolling Stone is something else.

The soundtrack to the Martin Scorsese film — including twenty-six previously unreleased recordings.

‘Rare and unreleased, 1989-2006’, with twenty-six tracks out here for the first time.