If an award had to be given to the coolest object on display at the Champs-Elysées’ Virgin Megastore, it would probably go to the translucently azure vinyl version of Italian techno/dance trio Eiffel 65’s diamond disc “Blue (Da Ba Dee).” However, this fall’s hottest musical phenomenon is the cross-fertilization between rhythm and blues and hip hop. Although diehard purists maintain “Once a diva à la Whitney Houston always a diva...,” the frontier separating R&B from urban tribes is increasingly fuzzy. In a brazen bid for street credibility, Mariah Carey’s “Rainbow” album features rap celebs such as Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Missy Elliott.

Pitched as “the essence of rap and R&B,” a former underground fanzine called Da Niouz has hit the news-stands. Surfing back and forth from Mary J. Blige to Public Enemy, to streetwise trends like “blues hip hop hardcore”... this trimonthly treats soul divas and banlieues emcees with equal “respect.” (45, rue de la Chine, 20e, tel: 01.48.09.08.86.)

The “Home of Real American Blues,” the Maxwell Café on the Ile de la Jatte makes in-house recordings of the dinner-concerts it organizes with a view to producing a collection of live CDs, as well as videos aimed at music channels. While the highlight of the café's November program is a Chicago Blues Festival (Nov 18-20 & Nov 25-27), R&B devotees planning private receptions can rent a 1,000 sq meter locale available for birthday bashes or business wingdings. (Contact: Jean-Lou Ruscon, 16, bd Vital-Bouhot, 92200 Neuilly, tel: 01.46.24.22.00.)

Even businessmen occasionally get the blues. A few years back, a world famous jeans manufacturer’s sales dwindled to such an extent that its marketing buffs began to feel like desperados. Then a hero came along... French Touch video director/musician Quentin Dupieux agreed to lend a hand by bringing his childhood confidant — an egg yolk-yellow flannel puppet — out of the closet. Renamed Flat Eric for the purposes of Levi’s Sta-Prest publicity campaign, Dupieux’s cuddly comfort toy became an international advertising icon. Now, Levi’s is back with several successful sportswear lines and Dupieux (aka Mr Oizo) is top of the pops. His latest release? An F. Communications CD dubbed “Analog Worms Attack.” (Levi’s Store, 161, rue de Rennes, 6e, tel: 01.40.49.07.87.)

The Mafia is no laughing matter, yet Parisian movie-goers have been fighting to get into a Hollywood comedy in which mobster Robert De Niro consults a psychologist (endearingly camped by Billy Crystal), when panic attacks start to interfere with his work. The French title of “Analyze This”? “Mafia Blues.”

No need to be a shrink to know that November spells nostalgia. Walking along the banks of recently refurbished Canal St-Martin, scenes from French cinema classic “Hôtel du Nord” spring to mind... Affectionately known as “HdN,” the film’s original location is now a fashionable bistro proposing a morale-boosting slate of stand-up comedies and concerts billed as “Laughing & Music Matters in Paris.” (Hôtel du Nord, 102, quai de Jemmapes, 10e, tel: 01.53.19.98.88.)

How else to shake off those November blues? Perhaps, by joining the clan of fin de siècle revelers who flutter from one futuristic festivity to another. The wilder your weekend, the better! On Saturday, after midnight, head for the Elysée-Montmartre’s “Kings” soirée. Nicknamed “The Godfather of House” NYC DJ Frankie Knuckles was “king of the hood” on October 16 and the organizers have booked a roster of star remixers. For instance, Laurent Garnier... (72, bd de Rochechouart, 18e, tel: 01.44.92.45.49.) On Sunday, from 8pm to 2am, make a bee-line for the AZ’Bar. Upstairs at Sir Terence Conran’s Alcazar restaurant on rue Mazarine, several weekly events including a regular DJ/dinner rendezvous called “Back Stage — Les Dimanches du Bar de l’Acazar” are all set to electrify the turn of the millennium. (Reservations: 01.53.10.19.99.)

The fall’s best fiestas? To celebrate the reopening of Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche’s St-Sulpice menswear boutique, ever on-the-pulse concept store Colette and Visionaire magazine threw a black tie “Dance Party” at the Opéra Garnier. Then, Le Printemps Haussman followed suit, launching its de l’homme department with an equally “VIP” techno evening.

The place de la Madeleine is generally thought of as a traffic-plagued hive of touristic activity. Yet, a lobby of local traders sees it a potential browsers quarter, with wider sidewalks and pedestrian alleyways. Why not envisage a major overhaul along the lines of the Champs-Elysées’ successful facelift? On Saturday, December 4, rue Vignon hosts a motor-free street party featuring jazz concerts and fanfares. (Contact: Françoise Bernier, Brasserie Le Select Vignon, tel: 01.47.42.27.83.)

Need to jazz up an evening gown for a special occasion? Then, go see Cerize, a boudoir-like “gallery-shop” with changing rooms in which clients can try on designer hats, baubles and bags for effect. And where habituées are encouraged to rummage through jewelry box-like drawers in search of the ideal accessory... (380, rue St-Honoré, 8e, tel: 01.42.60.84.84.)

Electro-pop ace Jacques Lu Cont alias Les Rhythmes Digitales is at L’Elysée-Montmartre November 30