Maneige ~ Canada ~ Montreal, Quebec

Live Montreal 1974 / 1975 (1998)

Continuing on with albums in my collection I haven't heard since acquiring them, comes Maneige's Live Montreal archival release. The 18 minute 'La Rafiot' was recorded in 1974 and later showed up on their debut album. I'm not familiar enough with that album to know how much they deviated from the studio version (though I own it). It does get loose in places, and I recall that from the album proper as well. The whopper track here is the 29 minute 'La Balloune', recorded in 1975, which appears to be a unique composition. It's very well possible that portions of this song appeared on their first two albums, but again I'm not well versed enough in either to know if that's true. Again there's a looseness here, though with a rockier edge primarily due to the psychedelic infused guitar. The final seven plus minute track is from the same session as the opener and is very similar. At this stage of their career, Maneige are a mix of classical, jazz, and progressive rock. Improvisation is a key characteristic, all built around structured themes.

Ownership: 1998 Fonovox (CD). Tri-fold digipak. Booklet has liner notes primarily en français.

1999 (acquired); 8/11/25 (review)
 

Les Porches (1975)

The sophomore effort from Quebec's finest prog band starts off in highbrow mode. Borderline chamber classical music, it maintains a certain beauty throughout. As the title track progresses, it slowly introduces rock elements. That which side 2 takes complete advantage of, and is a brilliant piece overall. Les Porches is a mostly instrumental mix of jazz fusion, classical, and prog rock, and represents the region's sound very well. A classic of its kind.

Ownership: 1975 Harvest (LP)

1990 (acquired); 12/31/07; 8/11/23 (review)

Montreal, 6 AM (1980)

Believe it or not, this is the first time I've heard this album, or at least a dedicated listen. For many years, general wisdom has it that Maneige's first four albums are all one needs, and they fell off a cliff after that. Well, I beg to differ. But it is different than its predecessors. Their first couple of albums are prog rock, and the next two are prog fusion, or what we used to call symphonic fusion. So it should come as no surprise that by 1980, the band had moved wholly into the jazz fusion space. There are no epics, but rather nine short and punchy instrumentals. No vocals and it certainly isn't pop music. It's a full six piece with flute, sax, guitar, keys, bass, and two percussionists. Essentially the same lineup as the recently reported Katamaran - Cafe Florian. I must've played each side three times back to back, something I rarely do anymore. The second side has a rougher edge, and honestly could have fit easily on Libre Service. Easy recommendation to fusion fans, but do expect it to be different than what came before it.

Ownership: 1980 Interim (LP). Interesting name for the label, as it ended up being self-defining, not lasting more than one year and eight LP's. Also worth noting that Maneige's first four albums all have at least 7 to 8 releases including reissues, and after that there's only the one original LP release. No reissues at all, and this would be a great title for CD enthusiasts.

1/27/22 (acquired / review)

Libre Service (1978)

You gotta hang in there with this one, Maneige's 4th album. The album opens up with a funky chicken number, and that leads into a trendy Latin jazz rock piece, that isn't entirely convincing either (though I admit to liking it). 'Les Petoncles' seems to be heading into more funk, when the album shifts gears and features the rawest electric guitar soloing of the album. Now we're in business. 'La Belle et la Bête' is the kind of avant prog everyone likes, with its complex rhythms, strong melody line, and angular structures. I tend to group 'Bagdad' and 'Noemie' together, though they have nothing in common with each other, other than they are two snippets of songs that close the side. The former is a middle eastern styled number (surprise) and the latter a pensive introspective piano led closer. Side 2 is all aces. 'Celebration' recalls the charming Harmonium and that leads into the album's most progressive track 'La Noce', where one can hear the happy sounds of Spain's Gotic. 'Miro Vibro' closes in similar progressive rock fashion, and might be Libre Service's best song. Plenty of flute, tuned percussion, guitar, and complex compositions define this mature work. I'm not sure where the negativity is coming from here, though the inauspicious opening doesn't help. I would expect all serious raters to hear the whole thing, however.

True original LPs sport a different cover than the one presented. It's a Chevy Mist green color with two gas pumps and "thought clouds". I kind of like it myself, and have no idea why it was withdrawn. It's quite rare these days, and I've never owned one. 

The more known cover has the familiar food truck sitting near a motel, in a very depressing looking winter setting. I absolutely love this cover - one of my favorites, though not overtly striking of course. There does exist a "French only" version with a different font, and the label title only in Quebec's first language. Since it's instrumental, not quite sure why it matters and the titles remained in French anyway without translation on the "English" version. OK then.

Ownership: 1978 Polydor (LP)

1992 (acquired); 1994; 1996; 9/14/18 (review)

Ni Vent... Ni Nouvelle (1977)

Another band that needs no introduction here. Maneige had decidedly turned to a more fusion stance by this, their 3rd album. If pressed to name a favorite, I would probably pick this album, but the first four are fantastic, as is any live recording that was recorded during the mid 1970s. And speaking of which, the four live bonus tracks on the CD demonstrate that Maneige were far more unrestrained live than in the studio, and these tracks pack a punch.

Ownership: 
1977 Polydor (LP). Gatefold. On my "wall of albums".
2010 Belle Antique (CD) Papersleeve with four bonus tracks.

1993 (acquired); 10/8/11 (review)

Also own and need to review: Maneige (1975); Les Porches Live

10/8/11 (new entry)