Allen Toussaint is one of my absolute heroes. The pianist, producer, and songwriter from New Orleans was the architect behind countless soul and funk classics – from Lee Dorsey’s Working in the Coal Mine to Dr. John’s Right Place, Wrong Time to Labelle’s Lady Marmalade. Toussaint wrote and produced for others, often staying out of the spotlight himself. But his songs were built so solidly that they were covered all over the world.

A great example: The Blackburds from France (not to be confused with Donald Byrd’s Blackbyrds). These French Blackburds were Johnny Hallyday’s backing band in the ’60s, and in 1967 they recorded the EP Play the Bugaloo for Philips. On it you’ll find a heavy instrumental version of Toussaint’s classic Get Out of My Life, Woman.

The result: garage soul meets boogaloo, French beat blending with a New Orleans vibe. From New Orleans to Paris, from Toussaint’s pen to Hallyday’s sidemen – covers like this show just how far a great song can travel.