Brigitte Fontaine Est Folle – Brigitte Fontaine Est Folle (2LP)

Originally released in 1968 on Pierre Barouh’s cult Saravah label, Brigitte Fontaine Est Folle shattered conventions. Fusing Fontaine’s lyrical brilliance – tackling themes like death, social revolt, and female desire – with Vannier’s lush, funky arrangements, the pair created a work that was ahead of its time. The album has been newly remastered from the original tapes, recently rediscovered in the Saravah vaults by Benjamin Barouh, and is now reissued in a deluxe 2-LP edition featuring a wealth of bonus material. The first LP presents the original album in stunning clarity, restoring every nuance of Fontaine’s cutting-edge songs alongside Vannier’s lush orchestrations. The second LP offers a selection of rare and previously unreleased recordings, including demos – recently unearthed by the album’s composer, Olivier Bloch-Lainé – instrumentals showcasing Vannier’s skills, and a groundbreaking 1969 live rendition of “Il Pleut” recorded for France Inter/ORTF. This version features Malachi Favors on bass, forming a direct link to her next LP, Comme à la Radio, recorded with the Art Ensemble of Chicago (to be reissued in 2026.) Also included is a 20-page bilingual booklet packed with rare archival photographs and documents. Featuring introductions by Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier and journalist Jeremy Allen, as well as essays by Fontaine’s biographer Benoît Mouchart and Benjamin Barouh, the booklet offers rich context and fresh perspectives on the album’s legacy.