LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

This time last year we were busy preparing for the release on Big Beat International of “Nippon Girls”, a collection of female vocalists from Japan. It ended up drawing a very favourable reception, especially from hip young club-goers with a yen for something edgy and different to inspire them on the dance floor. For the first issue to carry our new Ace International logo we stray a little less far from home, hopping just over the channel to France, home of the 1960s y?-y? girl phenomenon.

Comprising 24 tracks by 20 acts - Fran?oise Hardy, France Gall, Jacqueline Ta?eb and the country's top girl group Les Gam’s are each represented by two titles - “C’est Chic!” features many of the premier female stars of Gallic pop, plus a few French-singing non-nationals for good measure.

The majority of the songs here are French compositions, but astute listeners will recognise some others in their English language originals. ‘We Got A Thing That’s In The Groove’ (as popularised by US soul group the Capitols), ‘I’m Going Out With The Girls’ (Barbara Chandler), ‘Laugh At Me’ (Sonny Bono), ‘Around And Around We Go’ (Lonnie Jay & the Jaynes), ‘Tiny Goddess’ (Nirvana), ‘He’s In Town’ (the Tokens) and ‘The Sha La La Song’ (Marianne Faithfull) are each given a distinctive French twist.

The compilers are currently immersed in the recordings of the y?-y? girls of Italy and Spain with a view to future Ace International releases. Also in the works is a collection of compositions by fabled songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, from whose vast catalogue ‘Roller Girl’ by Anna Karina, ‘Laisser Tomber Les Filles’ by France Gall and ‘Non, A Tous Les Gar?ons’ by Mich?le Torr are among this set’s highlights.

Track Listing:

1. LE COEUR AU BOUT DES DOIGTS - Jacqueline Ta?eb
2. LAISSER TOMBER LES FILLES - France Gall
3. ROLLER GIRL - Anna Karina
4. JE SUIS FOLLE DE TANT T'AIMER - Arlette Zola
5. NE ME LAISSE PAS L'AIMER - Brigitte Bardot
6. LES FILLES C'EST FAIT POUR FAIRE L'AMOUR - Charlotte Leslie
7. LE TEMPS DE LA RENTR?E - France Gall
8. L'ADORABLE FEMME DES NEIGES - Christie Laume
9. JE NE SAIS PAS CE QUE JE VEUX - Fran?oise Hardy
10. CE SOIR JE M'EN VAIS - Jacqueline Ta?eb
11. TU LA REVOIS - Ria Bartok
12. VOILA - Francoise Hardy
13. A DEMAIN MY DARLING - Marie Lafor?t
14. C'EST LA MODE - Annie Philippe
15. A LA FIN TU GAGNERAS - Jocelyne
16. UN CHAGRIN A OUBLIER - Alice Dona
17. L'AMOUR TOURNE EN ROND - Louise Cordet
18. IMPATIENTE (D'?TRE SEULE POUR PLEURER) - Les Gam's With Annie Markan
19. A LA M?ME HEURE - Sheila
20. CHAQUE NUIT - Les Surfs
21. NON, A TOUS LES GAR?ONS - Mich?le Torr
22. DONNE MOI - Petula Clark
23. L’?T? REVIENDRA - Les Gam’s
24. IL SUFFIT D'UN JOUR - Liz Brady