past is present 2: Emile Parisien & Vincent Peirani: Belle Époque

past is present | Emile Parisien & Vincent Peirani: Belle Époque

A curated ACT Music vinyl series in which the past becomes the present. Timeless recordings that don't just live on, they continue to speak in the now.

• First time on vinyl release 
• Limited to 1,000 copies, each hand-numbered
• Remastered for vinyl
• High-quality 180g pressing, black vinyl, lacquer cut
• Liner notes written exclusively for this edition
• Includes a collector's obi-strip on premium art paper 
• Individually designed labels and inner sleeve, inspired by the original artwork
• A designed inner sleeve as a narrative cornerstone of the album, printed on coated art paper

past is present is ACT's curated deep dive into the label's rich catalogue, bringing outstanding recordings back into focus on premium vinyl. These are albums whose relevance has not faded – they still speak with clarity and emotional force today. Selected as part of ACT's musical heritage, each title appears either for the first time on vinyl or in a newly remastered edition, reaching the highest possible fidelity while honouring the original artistic vision. 

Every release is conceived as a limited, hand-numbered collector's edition, made for listeners who value both the sound and the object. The original cover artwork is preserved and elevated through refined production: a bespoke collector’s obi strip, newly commissioned liner notes, custom-designed labels and an individually designed inner sleeve – each part of a cohesive series identity and a premium vinyl experience. 

Belle Époque by Vincent Peirani and Emile Parisien marks the beginning of one of the most compelling partnerships in contemporary European jazz. When the two entered the studio in 2013, their duo was still in its early days, yet the chemistry between them was already unmistakable. What followed was not only a remarkable recording, but the starting point of a journey that would take them to stages around the world.

Inspired by the legacy of soprano saxophone pioneer Sidney Bechet, Belle Époque bridges eras and influences with striking elegance. The album moves fluidly between early jazz, French chanson, original compositions and modern improvisation, carried by Peirani's richly expressive accordion and Parisien's lyrical, soaring soprano. Together they reimagine this repertoire with both reverence and bold individuality, turning each piece into something vividly their own. 

At its heart, Belle Époque is a celebration of musical dialogue – two voices listening, responding and shaping a shared narrative in real time. The result is music of warmth, sophistication and depth, capturing the moment a singular duo found its voice. A defining recording, now rediscovered as part of past is present.