St Germain is spectacular live. Like his 18th century alias, Ludovic Navarre has an appeal that transcends boundaries.

The seven piece act look as comfortable on stage at the Manchester's Academy as they might be jamming in their Parisian studio.

Giving the crowd what it wanted Ludo dived straight into the infamous Rose Rouge with its "I want you to get together," sample. After that, they could do no wrong.

His style is a brand of fusion music blending techno with jazz and blues, and ambient, house and dub. Far from being a simple slapdash commercial sound collage, it is instead a slowly matured blend, a dexterous mix of machines and instruments, roots and modernity.

Hence why the audience is a pick and mix from freshers to ageing hippies.

On stage were Boulevard collaborators Pascal Ohsé on trumpet, Edouard Labor on saxophone and flute, Alexandre Destrez on keyboards and Edmondo Carneiro on percussion. Not forgetting Guest artists include Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin and percussionist Idrissa Diop whose bongo solo in So Flute sent the audience wild.

All played their part, throwing the lead around and showing off their musical skills to give maximum entertainment value. And the sweat-laden crowd seemed to be impressed.

The air of excitement in the room can be put down to Ludo's reputation. The multiskilled Ludo, pioneer of the French Touch, the new electronic music of France, has been has been noted as one of the biggest influences on the international music scene. Without him, Daft Punk, Air and Dimitri From Paris would probably still be playing parties out in the French sticks…

Boulevard, sold over 200,000 copies worldwide and he was nominated for the Dance Music Awards in London alongside artists like Goldie, D'Angelo and Michael.

Looking around the audience as the maestro launches into oldie My Mama Said it's obvious why St Germain has such wide appeal. Like the name it will simple never age.

New album, Tourist, is out now on the prestigious Blue Note jazz label.

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