Isabelle seems to have come from Belgium - at least that where this particular 45, Magicien backed with Mon Petit Begin, originated. Issued on the tiny Baby Records label, the company put out several other 45s and EPs, and although none of their releases are dated, you can tell from the sound of the instrumentation - as well as the way Isabelle has been styled for the cover shot - that it must have been issued sometime around the early to mid-1980s.
The plug track, Magicien, is a perfectly acceptable slice of kiddy-synthpop, a bouncy little ditty that the slightly flat singer handles reasonably well. But the flip side, which I featured on the World's Worst Records Radio Show this week, is another matter altogether. It's exactly what you would want from a precocious pre-teen trying to sing pop. The poor little mite is completely out of her depth, and although she makes a decent fist of it in the chorus, her voice just doesn't have the range necessary to carry off the verses of the song with any authority. I believe the title was recorded as a tribute to the recently ousted Israeli Prime Minister...
The lyrics to both songs were penned by Christelle Bascour, who wrote songs for a number of Belgian kiddy stars, including baby Chouchou. The music was composed by Vincent Algeri, who worked with dozens of artists through the 70s and 80s, and again was involved in the baby Chouchou project.
Isabelle issued at least one further 45, the Sylvester Stallone-inspired Rocky (backed with Petit Arlequin), but her history is confused by the fact that several different Isabelles have issued records in Belgium over the years... her Discogs entry includes another 45 which is clearly by a different singer: you only have to look at the photo of the weeny pop moppet on the cover to realise that.
If anyone out there has any more information on our Isabelle, I would love to hear from you.
Enjoy!
Download Magicien HERE
Download Begin HERE
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