These may be the words of French record producer Franck Jaffr�s (below), but he is certainly not a technophobe trying to block the inevitable march of technology. With co-founder Sylvie Br�lyhe he has created one of the most exciting new record labels for years - Zig-Zag Territoires. And their innovative musical approach coupled with superb engineering and beautiful packaging is winning them a lot of supporters - and sales. They aren't denying the existence of the internet, their own website is comprehensive, and offers sample MP3 files. But they are concentrating on the established media of CD and DVD to deliver their product, and to showcase their core values of musical, technical and design excellence.

Zig-Zag Territoires' release schedule certainly isn't cautious. For instance they have a hybrid CD/DVD release that couples an audio recording of Xenakis' Okho, Psappha and Rebonds A & B played by the young Portugese percussionist Pedro Carneiro (lead picture) with video interviews featuring the musicologist Makis Solomos and Makhi Xenakis. (The composer�s daughter is an exciting artist in her own right - check that link). They also have a new CD release of quartets from Webern, Arnold Schoenberg (n�2), and Alban Berg (op.3) played by the Quatuor Manfred. The wide-ranging catalogue of Zig-Zag Territoires combines 20th century works with a particular strength in baroque music.

We need more companies like Zig-Zag Territoires who refuse to blindly dance to the two remorseless rythms of reducing prices and internet downloads. Franck Jaffr�s and his colleagues are causing quite a stir in the classical recording industry with their refreshing alternative approach. On An Overgrown Path has the full story, and an audio file from another of their exciting projects, read all about it in Mortal defeat for the mob in Paris.

Image credits:
Pedro Carneiro - joaquim.emf.org
Franck Jaffres - Zig-Zag Territoires