Le Jazzbeat! Jerk, Jazz & Psychobeat De France

Le Jazzbeat! Jerk, Jazz & Psychobeat De France was released in 1999 by Jazzman Records, a label founded by Gerald Short dedicated to excavating and reissuing obscure, genre-defying music from the mid-20th century. This compilation emerged during a period of burgeoning interest in exotica, lounge, and European library music, curating a selection of French tracks that fused jazz sensibilities with the frenetic energy of the 1960s 'jerk' dance craze and psych-rock influence. It serves as a time capsule of a niche experimental period in French studio production.

The album's design and curation reflect Jazzman's commitment to the 'crate-digging' aesthetic, focusing on rare 45s and forgotten regional pressings that would have otherwise remained lost to broader audiences. By grouping these tracks under the umbrella of 'psychobeat,' the label sought to recontextualize dance-floor oddities for a new generation of DJs and collectors. Upon its release, the record was well-received within the underground DJ culture of London and Paris, helping to solidify the reputation of the label for high-quality, culturally significant archival work.