Les Primitifs du Futur

As well as creating the striking cover and booklet art for this project, expatriate North American artist Robert Crumb also shows his prowess on banjo and mandolin in this wonderful collaborative project for Gallic strings. Crumb's virtuosity shines in the mandolin solo that animates "Scattin' the Blues" and his banjo solo in the ballad "Chanson pour Louise Brooks." Crumb's love of vintage blues, jazz and jug band music finds its perfect outlet here in a memorable mix of acoustic tangos, blues, rags, ballads, waltzes and French cabaret music. The accordion playing of R. Barboza, D. Colin and F. Dondard is prominent in the mix while the eerie elegance of ukulele player F. Lofsky's musical saw graces "Maldita noche," "La java viennoise," "Reve secret" and "Le dernier musette" to help make this singular project one to relish on repeated listening.