Artist: Jean Leloup, Album: L'Amour Est Sans Pitie, Song: Isabelle

"L'Amour est une sale affaire."  Love is a dirty business.  The translated last words of artist Jean Leloup from his hit song, Isabelle.  Jean Leloup (aka Jean Leclerc) is a francophone artist from Quebec who spent most of his formative child and teenage years abroad in places like Togo and Algeria.  He is a tremendously creative artist that seems to be always pushing the barriers in music.  While his popularity within Canada is mainly within the province of Quebec, many of his albums have achieved gold and platinum status.  He has also been nominated for a Juno twice.  Jean has always had an uncompromising approach to his music.  In 1989, he was so unhappy with his label's artistic control over his debut album that he entitled it, Menteur (Liar).  He retreated to Europe shortly thereafter and formed a new band that led to the recording of this album, L'Amour Est Sans Pitie, in 1991.  The song, Isabelle, was a big hit and the video was a major contributing factor.  It was directed by a man named James DiSalvio who was also a DJ.  James would later form the band, Bran Van 3000, whom Jean would collaborate with in later years.  Jean has released albums under both his stage name, Leloup, as well as his given name, Leclerc.  His last album was released in 2009.  He is a dynamic artist that deserves more recognition within this country.  You can follow him at http://www.roiponpon.com/ as well as http://www.myspace.com/jeanleloup.  You can watch the original video for Isabelle on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MWgPNtYU1Y).  You can purchase this album along with all of Jean's other releases on Itunes.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!