Dervieux

Franck Dervieux was the keyboardist of Jean Pierre Ferland, one of Quebec's best known singers. Dervieux became ill with cancer and after regaining his strength, he released an album called "Dimension M" in 1972, in which his life's philosophy is aptly, yet abstractly, described on the insert. The band comprised Yves Laferrière (bass), Christiane Robichaud (vocals), Michel Robidoux (guitar), and Christian Saint-Roch (drums) who would all go on to form Contraction. Also present during sessions was Michel Séguin (percussion), who later formed Toubabou.
Dervieux dedicates the album to his 3 doctors from Sherbrooke, who he says on the insert 'preserved' him. Indeed they saved him just long enough to produce what is undoubtedly one of the finest progressive music LPs to have emerged from Quebec…

Contraction was formed by musicians accompanying keyboardist Franck Dervieux on his ground breaking "Dimension M" album in 1972, namely Yves Laferriere (bass), Christiane Robichaud (vocals), Michel Robidoux (guitar), and Christian St-Roch (drums). They were joined that same year by Robert Lachapelle (keyboards), Robert Stanley (guitar), Rawn Bankley (guitar), Marcel Huot (drums), Denis Farmer (drums), and Carlyle Miller (sax/flute). At the end of 1972, Contraction released their self-titled debut album. The album took its inspiration from where Dervieux had left off prior to his tragic bout with cancer. Thus, Contraction can be considered the spiritual continuation of one of Quebec's founding fathers of progressive rock, and his prodigies did not disappoint…

Those people aware of one of Quebec's seminal group Contraction (which came from Frank Dervieux's heritage), should be aware of bassist Laferrière's important role in the group. While not the only person carrying the group, he was actually a bit surprising that he would be the only ex-Contraction member to release solo albums (there is a second one dating from the 80's), but this solo album is much worthy of the proghead's ear.
Graced with a star-studded guest (from Harmonium to Orchestre Sympathique and from Pollen to Conventum), the album develops a JR/F that is not that far from what Contraction was doing. This feeling is reinforced with ex-Contraction vocalist Monique Fauteux laying out her vocals generously throughout the album…

Toubabou was formed in 1974 when percussionist Michel Séguin and vocalist Lise Cousineau, founding members of Ville Emard Blues Band (VEBB), were asked by the Québec government to organize the final concert of the Superfrancofête youth festival, on the Plains of Abraham in Québec City. Séguin and Cousineau had ties to French African musicians with whom they had played in 1973. These same musicians had given Séguin the title "Toubabou-djembe-folla" (bambara expression meaning "stranger playing skins"). They invited several artists from Mali and Senegal (including the renowned Doudou N'Diaye Rose) to join them for a show combining traditional African music with adaptations and original compositions by Toubabou…

Contraction's second album captures the beauty, originality, and adventurous nature of a group recognized as one of Quebec's greatest progressive rock bands. This album, released in 1974, is dedicated to the late Franck Dervieux from whom the group took its inspiration. It features another long cycle of progressive songs highlighted by the 18-minute title track.