Jacques Blais - Themes (Reissue, Remastered) (1975/2008)

Quebecois guitarist released this mostly instrumental album back in '75. Features most of the members of Contraction at the time of their second album, La Bourse ou la Vie. More specifically it's produced by Yves Laferrière and features him on bass, Lachapelle on keys, Perrotte on drums and Christiane Robichaud on vocals on various tracks. Jacques Blais sings and plays guitar. The material has some similarities to Contraction but Blais is a more prominent presence than Robert Stanley was on the Contraction albums, and there aren't really any pop influences, just a slightly funky but mostly ethereal atmospheric progressive rock. Reissued for the first time on CD, and remastered from the original tapes.

Although labeled as the debut “solo” release from Contraction (and Franck Dervieux) guitarist Jacques Blais, this album was in fact recorded with most of his Contraction bandmates immediately following their 1974 final group studio recording, the progressive gem “La Bourse Ou La Vie”.
One of Quebec’s best and most sought-after guitarists in the late 60’s to early 80’s, Jacques Blais is also aruably the province’s best-kept secret. Although playing with everyone on the scene (from Contraction, Maneige & Octobre to Pollen, Offenbach & Eclipse), he’s recorded just two solo albums.
An amazing guitarist , his chops stand out on “Vrai Ou Fou” (“True or Crazy”), …..a schizophrenic piece that jumps between some wicked and hyper guitar riffs and more relaxed atmospheric moments…