Limited to 488 copies; includes a booklet. This is a reissue of another of their early works—all originally released on Alfred Hilsberg’s legendary Zickzack label—that have long since become collector's items. Originally released in 1984, *Ça c’est le Blues* represents nothing less than a milestone in F.S.K.’s already impressive discography. While numerous bands from the early 1980s West German underground scene drifted toward the mainstream or began singing in English following the "Summer of Pop" in 1982 and the associated breakthrough of the "Neue Deutsche Welle" (New German Wave), Justin Hoffmann, Thomas Meinecke, Michaela Melián, and Wilfried Petzi took a different path. Their songs became more sophisticated and the production—influenced by bands like Gang of Four and Dexys Midnight Runners—more lavish; the instrumentation now included wind instruments for the first time, which have since become an integral part of the F.S.K. sound. At the same time, the Munich-based band’s focus—driven by an interest in music history—turned more strongly toward the USA than was typical for bands in the West German scene at the time. They integrated funk (in the opener "Faire Le Chicken") and jazz (in a heart-wrenching cover of "My Funny Valentine") into their characteristic blend of post-punk and experimental music, a style that had already become apparent on *Stürmer*. From that point on, this "transatlantic feedback" became an essential element of F.S.K.’s musical practice. Their discursive twists, incorporation of references, and insistence on German lyrics would go on to influence bands in the decades that followed—and not just those associated with the "Hamburger Schule" (Hamburg School). At the same time, the album features legendary Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle hits—such as "Move Ahead" and "Fragen der Philosophie (Völkerball)"—that remain staples of their live shows to this day. With the reissue of "Ça c’est le Blues," one of the most impressive albums in the history of German avant-pop from the 20th century is finally available again. The reissue includes an extensive booklet featuring an in-depth interview with all the band members about the album, as well as numerous previously unpublished photos.
