He has just written a new song for Jane Birkin ("Si tout est faux"), and he has just brought out a new album.

The subject matter of "Jadis et naguère", (that is its name) has been built up over a number of months, even years, by Manset. According to him, there is plenty more where that comes from: "Jadis et Naguere" sounds just that - old fashioned. When you listen, there is no mistaking him. It is genuine Manset, the one we like (or detest). With a sort of retiring voice, assured musical direction, the usual, really. Just the feeling that you've already heard this before, that an old friend has returned from four years of travelling.

His wanderings in Cuba, San Domingo, Brazil, Cambodia, Burma, Paraguay and Bolivia have led him to seek an earthly paradise.."Il faut l'avoir connu soi-même/Loin de tout loin des hommes loin de la société" (Vahiné ma sœur). ("You should experience it yourself, far from everything, far from men, far from society"). But Manset is dreaming of love: there can be no doubt. Always has. "On dit l'amour est aveugle/Et qu'il n'a ni foi ni loi/A cette lumière s'abreuvent/Ceux qui ont faim de froid" (L'amour est aveugle) ("They say that love is blind, And stops at nothing, People who are hungry for cold, Drink at this light". His favourite themes have barely changed after all this time.

The search for clarity and purity has led the artist to hide behind his work. So there is no promotion, no telly, above all no stage work. The idea seems almost incongruous to him. His remarks on the subject are eloquently explicit: "I find it obscene, ridiculous, to sing before an audience".. There is no question of giving in to the traditional requirements of the job. What a pity - for us.

Gérard Manset "Jadis et naguère" Emi