Aretha Franklin, John Williams, New Order... The 10 musical boxes to give at Christmas

Formed 50 years ago in Ohio, this group did nothing like the others. Besides the fact that they were ten years ahead of their time - they practically invented the 1980s single-handedly - they benefited from the sponsorship of three great musicians: David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Neil Young. Produced by Brian Eno, their first album has become a classic. But this copious anthology shows that they did not stop there, far from it. To devour!

50 Years of De-evolution, 2 CD ou 2 LP (Rhino/Warner)

These five albums from the early 1970s, less celebrated than her production at the end of the sixties, show that Aretha Franklin was far from having said everything after her great wave of hits. We hear the first version of Let It Be - released two months before that of the Beatles - and sumptuous soul tracks recorded at the Muscle Shoals studios (Alabama) by virtuosos of the caliber of Duane Allman. This somewhat forgotten period of the singer's long career can be rediscovered here.

A Portrait of the Queen, Coffret 5 Cd ou 6 LP (BMG)

The past year also marked the fiftieth anniversary of Bob Marley's first masterpiece, then on the verge of conquering the world with his personal interpretation of reggae. The Wailers' first real album recorded on behalf of Chris Blackwell via Island Records, the disc will set things ablaze with the hits Stir it Up and Concrete Jungle and mark a decade of triumph for the singer, who continues to be adored over forty years after his death. This anniversary edition contains the original album, a live performance and rare studio sessions.

Catch a Fire, 3CD ou 3 LP (Island/Universal)

Originally released in 1987, this compilation showed the number of impressive hits the Manchester band had lined up over the decade. Born from the ashes of Joy Division after the death of Ian Curtis, New Order defined futuristic, danceable electro pop. Blue Monday, from 1983, remains one of the greatest singles in history. We of course find it here, accompanied by other classics. Featuring impeccable sound, this reissue adds a CD recorded in concert by a group then at the height of its popularity. The rest of the story will be less glorious, unfortunately. Now without its bassist Peter Hook, the band is only a shadow of itself.

Substance 1987, un coffret 2 LP ou 4 Cd (Factory/Warner Music)

Fairly forgotten today, Klaus Nomi was an avant-garde artist who combined lyrical singing and electronic music like no other from the end of the 1970s. Spotted by David Bowie, he enjoyed dazzling success but his career was brought to an abrupt halt by his died in 1983. He has the sad privilege of having been one of the first celebrities to die of AIDS. His work is to be rediscovered, as part of this box set but also two volumes of remixes available separately.

Coffret 4 CD ou 4 LP (Legacy/Sony Music)

In the spring of 1973, the English group Pink Floyd reached the first division with the release of Dark Side of the Moon. Recorded by Roger Waters, Davd Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright, this disc was one of the biggest sellers in history, remaining in the American Top 15 years continuously. This indestructible masterpiece was re-released for its 50th anniversary in a luxury edition. This album is so perfect that one wonders why Roger Waters went to re-record it alone in a sinister version...*

Dark Side of the Moon, ed 50 ans, (Pink FLoyd Records/Warner Music)

Signed to the prestigious Parisian subsidiary of the RCA firm at the same time as Laurent Voulzy and Alain Souchon, Yves Simon will sign a series of major albums before devoting most of his life to his activity as a successful novelist. Supported by hits like Juliet's Wonderland, I Dreamed New York or Diabolo Menthe, his seventies repertoire is aging very well. We can even say that he anticipated a very current way of making the French language sound. Alongside the release of these studio albums, BMG is releasing two fairly rare live albums onto the market.

The complete vinyl records 1973-1985 (BMG)

Five years after his death, Rachid Taha's mark in French rock continues to be felt. Misunderstood here, celebrated as it should be across the Channel, Rachid Taha was an adventurer of sound. After a sensational debut within Carte de Séjour - we remember the triumph of their cover of Douce France - the man lined up the great records, between civic commitment, guitar rock and unbridled electro. Too underestimated during his lifetime, Taha left an impressive legacy, as evidenced by this very exciting complete collection.

Cetoului, a 14 CD box set (Panthéon/Universal Music)

An immense performer who passed away last May, Tina Turner's journey was anything but smooth sailing. In the absence of a title with her first husband, the tyrant Ike Turner, this box set brings together the best of her solo production. Begun in the mid-1970s, this second career reached its peak ten years later. Having become a popular singer, she had a string of gold records and prestigious duets (with David Bowie, Eric Clapton and Bryan Adams). Soul, rock, pop, jazz, this diva to whom Beyoncé owes everything knew how to sing it all.

Queen of Rock’n’Roll, un coffret 5 LP (Parlophone/Warner Music)

The extraordinary Ecoutez le cinéma collection by Stéphane Lerouge is enriched with a new reference with this box set dedicated to the American John Williams. Favorite composer of Spielberg (Jaws) or George Lucas (Star Wars), the man was quickly placed in the firefighter category. However, his first works show the work of a fine and meticulous man, who easily rose to the level of the biggest names in film music. Very impressive.

The Legend of John Williams, 1960-2022, un coffret 20 CD (Universal Music)