The albums recorded by Serge Gainsbourg between 1958 and 1968 were all originally mixed in mono – in the 1960s, that was the standard for sound. In order to respond to the evolution of listening standards, these discs were subsequently subjected to stereophonic mixes. Stereo has therefore replaced mono and, over the course of the various reissues, mono has completely disappeared. It was therefore no longer possible to listen to Serge Gainsbourg’s songs as they originally appeared. This lack has now been repaired, thanks to this sublime 180 gram vinyl box set in mono mixing. In order to provide the best sound quality, the original mixed tapes were entrusted to sound engineer Miles Showell (responsible for the reissues of The Rolling Stones, Queen, etc.) who did the mastering at the Abbey Road studio.