Jane Birkin

French actress Jane Birkin made her biggest international hit with the sexually charged "Je T'Aime...Moi Non Plus," which is included in this overview of her recordings from 1968-1985. Serge Gainsbourg collaborated on every track as writer or co-writer, and sometimes as a duet vocalist. The duets with Gainsbourg sometimes attempt to recapture the erotic atmosphere of Birkin's most famous song, although she does not repeat the orgasmic moaning that made it so controversial (and popular). The classic French pop sides from 1973 and earlier are by far the best, while the later efforts suffer from dated production and weak songwriting. The most interesting of her later recordings include "Ex-Fan Des Sixties," a strange metrically challenged litany of English and American rock & roll artists, and "Quoi," the theme from a French television series. Master Serie succeeds as a career overview, but a collection that focused solely on her early years would offer a more consistent listening experience. ~ Greg Adams, All Music Guide