For the first time ever an anthology of jazz manouche or Gypsy jazz as it’s often called, not only brings together the best artists of the style, but also puts their work into perspective alongside that of their all-time master and model, Django Reinhardt. The programme of the first CD here offers 16 compositions taken from Reinhardt’s repertoire, but played by the some of his most accomplished followers. CD n°2 includes the same 16 compositions in their original version, played by Django himself! There’s a single exception, though – track 8 of CD n°1, Chez Jacquet, is replaced by George Ulmer’s hit Pigalle on the second CD. In fact, though nobody really knows the why and wherefore of the matter, Django Reinhardt composed two “waltzes”, Montagne Sainte Geneviève and Chez Jacquet, but so far no recorded version of either of them (recorded by Django, that is) has come to light. Another surprising fact is that the only waltz Django ever recorded would seem to be Pigalle, and yet he frequented dances and dance halls and swing musette balls from the very start of his career.