Buy this album if you are interested in the music of Serge Gainsbourg but don't know where to start. The CD contains a wide range of songs from different aspects of his distinguish musical career. As a musician, Gainsbourg 'hopped' through different styles of music: from 'mambo', 'cabaret', 'french pop', 'rockabilly' and even to 'raggae'. It's hard to discribe in one word what this CD's like, but it's a great starting point to get accustomed to Gainsbourg's work. It contains songs that are fun, exotic, and dark.

You will not be disappointed with this CD.

This is a perfect introduction for those who are wanting to get into Serge. I myself am a new fan but owning this has just made me want to track down all his reissued import albums. Prior to this CD, I only owned his No. 4 album, which showcases Serge in his smooth, jazzy lounge phase. That album is incredible but this hits a lot of the high points of his career and shows just how brilliant he became in the early to mid 70's especially. It is the recordings from that period that stand out for me on this collection, most notably "Ballade De Melody Nelson", "Je Suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'en Vais" and the astonishingly good "L'Homme A Tete De Chou" which could be Serge's finest moment. All in all, this is a great collection and a perfect overview of his fascinating career.

This is undoubtedly the best introduction to Serge Gainsbourg there is out there. The variety of sounds and styles on this album is a testiment to the man's artistic integrity. No other comparable artist can straddle the genres of world music and pop music with such veritable ease.

You've got the nightclub, Vegas sound of 'Intoxicated Man', the subtle sensuality of 'La Javanaise'. The funk groove of 'Chez Les Ye-Ye' (released in 1963 no less!). The Brazilian flavour of 'Couleur Cafe', the pseudo-psychedelic 'Qui Est In, Que Est Out'. The wonderful backing arrangements of 'Ballade De Melody Nelson' and even some folk guitar on 'Je suis Venu Te Dire Que Je M'En Vais'.

You don't have to speak French to enjoy the wonderful songs on this album. Serge's laid-back vocal style (closer to talking than to singing) makes this album the epitome of cool. It says something about the Anglo-American world's lack of appreciation for non-English speaking performers, that an artist as talented as this should go, for the most part, unrecognized in the English-speaking world. Hopefully, discovery of this album will lead others to a greater interest in Serge's work and from there a greater interest in non-English speaking artists in general.