Quality Labels : FIP

In France, one of the quality labels given to CD albums, are the Sélection FIP. FIP, one of the radio frequencies of Radio France, gives this label to six albums per two weeks in any of the musical genres, be they Jazz, Blues, French chansons, Anglo-saxon Pop-Rock or World Music.

http://www.radiofrance.fr/chaines/fip/selection/index.php

The label aims to help choose the public among the numerous releases. The albums are promoted on the radio station during one month.

New 2009 examples...

I just received a new order with two outstanding albums from Mali, i.e. Oumou Sangaré's « Seya », and the latest album of Kasse Mady Diabaté.

I will start with the first one. On Oumou Sangaré's album, there are two stickers. The first is a small sticker with a very positive press comment by Howard Male (The World). On the bottom of the album, there is again a large sticker with various logo's, such as Arte TV, Mondomix, Inrockuptibles, Muziq, Le Monde, Vibrations and Séléction FIP. These organisations all recommend the album.

The album « Manden Djeli Kan » by one of my favorite singer Kassemady Diabaté comes with a simple artwork with few colours and nearly low-res graphics. Sticker-wise, there is just the Sélection FIP recommendation. But the music is great!