Maneige - Live a l'Eveche (Reissue, Remastered) (1975/2005)

Founded in Quebec, Canada in 1972 - Disbanded in 1983

MANEIGE is probably the Quebec band that epitomizes best the Quebec Prog boom from 74 to 79. Their music are probably one of the best example of what Fusion music can be by blending in classical and folk elements together with jazz tones the whole thing having a very progressive rock ideal and could also fit the chamber rock style. Their style can only be really compared to other Quebecois group as SLOCHE and OPUS-5.

They first got noticed by local music scene and press after repeatedly blowing off stage EKSEPTION on a local tour and were offered a recording contract by Harvest. The early albums were strongly directed by Jerome Langlois and Alain Bergeron using much of classical influences. The album best showing their early style is "Les Porches" is flawless and simply astounding in creativity for the times. However, due to musical directions difference Langlois will leave after this album and the music will become more jazz-tinged as Lapierre and Schetagne will take more musical composing roles. Their music will become gradually more percussive as each new album is released. After the live "Composite", the music will veer off in a more conventional jazz-rock style.

I simply cannot recommend more highly a much forgotten band that would deserve a better fate. All albums should not be that hard to find in vinyl as only three of them ever got released on CD. Please... pretty please (with sugar on it), look out for this band and I think almost no-one will regret it.