Progquebec

Fourth album from their catalogue released in 1978 named Libre Service - Self-Service is almost same in manner of composing with previous one, aswell shorter pieces but full of inventive passages. Overall polished sound, some untraditional instruments here like xylophone, marimba combined with the rest gives a very solid album. Flute again is important as guitar and keyboards, again an instrumental album. Maybe in places is little more accesible then previous album and maybe lighter in aproach but never the less a great album by Maneige that keeps the flag high in those dark years of prog late '70s.

Jacques Rivest was best known as Pollen's vocalist and multi-instrumentalist prior to the release of his first, self-titled solo album in 1979. The LP features Pollen band mates Claude Lemay (keyboards) and Richard Lemoyne (guitar), joined by Daniel Mathieu (bass) and Serge Courchesne (drums/horns). Some of the material is more mainstream, but the acoustic instrumentation lends itself to a folk vibe, and there are some truly progressive moments, as on the Eastern-looking "Voyage au Tibet", as well as the double-keyboard lines and singing, reminiscent of Pollen, found on other tracks. 2006 saw the re-release of Rivest's first solo album, this time on CD, by ProgQuebec. The album is now augmented by a bonus track, taken from a single released about the same time as the original album release.

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…

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.

1969-1971 (2007). Of the first of Lasting Weep's two posthumous releases of, this one is actually the only one that could be regarded as their only testament, made from five recording sessions between 1969 and 1971, two of them for soundtracks to films or images. LW was made up of future Quebecois greats flutist/saxophonist Bergeron and multi-instrumentalist Langlois (both future Maneige), drummer Mathieu Leger (future Conventum and l'Orchestre Sympathique) and bassist Chapleau (found as a session musician on a lot of 70's records). Apparently these archives were found in one of musician's attic; and most thankfully these tapes can be finally made public…

Sloche got their names from the dirty snow amassed in the streets (sleet or slush) but in the Quebec form. Sloche is one of those incredible bands from Quebec progressive explosion of the mid-70's that sadly only managed two albums. They sound like a cross of Mahavishnu Orchestra, a bit of Gentle Giant but mostly like their compatriot the incredible Maneige or the emotional Opus-5. Both their albums are absolutely successful, the former being slightly more symphonic than the second being more fusion. The lyrics are sung in French but they are not to present and do not have too strong Quebec intonations (accent). If you like the above-mentioned groups and are not afraid of a little adventure this is highly recommended.

This Quebecois band has three phases. First came the psych period under which they were known as Morse Code Transmission and made two psych albums in 71 & 72 sung in English. The second phase saw their names shortened and with the Quebec prog explosion under way decided to switch to French singing. The three albums that followed are real gems of progressive music oscillating between Genesis and Barclay James Harvest but the French texts (sometimes highly impressive) gave them a sound of their own. They disbanded, as the disco wave became a Tsunami in La Belle Province only to reform in 83 to make a best-forgotten English-sung album and again in 95 for a much better one again in French.

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…

Offenbach emerged in 1970 from the transformation of various bands throughout the 60's, the last being "Les Gants Blancs" lead by the Boulet brothers who were then inspired by the psychedelia of the times and artists like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. The lineup is then comprised of Gerry Boulet (keyboard & vocals), Jean Johnny Gravel (guitars), Michel "Willie" Lamothe Jr (bass) and Denis Boulet, who left the band after the first record to be replaced on drums by Roger (Wézo) Belval. That year they meet with musician, poet and filmmaker Pierre Harel whom they integrated to the band as singer and author, and would then release the soundtrack to his movie "Bulldozer" in 1973…

Maelstrom (previously Way Out) recorded a full album at Le Studio in Morin Heights, owned by André Perry, in 1976… at the height of Quebec's first progressive rock era. After failing to find a record contract back in the day, the master tapes were forgotten… so forgotten, in fact, that even we didn't hear any word about them for over 40 years!
The tapes reveal a quintet at the height of their powers, and musical affinities to Gentle Giant, Yes, and at times even Frank Zappa. Add to the mix hints of King Crimson, Canterbury prog and space rock, with comparable Quebec peers including Et Cetera, Opus 5, Le Match, Maneige and Harmonium. The six francophone pieces stretch out through long instrumental segments, permitting a demonstration of the band members' talents. All in all, this album definitely shines within the Quebec progressive rock canon from the 1970's.