New from ProgQuebec : Maelstrom (1976)

[moecurlythanu]

"Crossover", perhaps.

Nah, "Crossover Prog" is legit. That's Prog that breaks your ankles when it drives to the basket.

[Sputnik]

Got this from Wayside today, gave it a first spin tonight. Super album. Definitely up there with the great Prog rarity "one-offs" like Mirthrandir, Cathedral, Yezda Urfa (yeah, they have two, but close enough), Et Ceterta, etc. (pun intended ). Up there with top Quebecois Prog like Sloche and Opus One for me as well, probably even better than Opus One. Maelstrom have certainly listened to some Gentle Giant, and it shows in their stuff, but they have their own sound and aren't a clone. I say grab it before it's gone!

Bill

[Scrotum Scissor]

Up there with top Quebecois Prog like Sloche and Opus One for me as well, probably even better than Opus One.

Opus 1 was actually a Yugoslavian 70s heavy progressive band. The Quebecois band's name was Opus-5.

Bill, it's unfathomably important that you get this right from now on. Please, for God's sake - get yourself together.

[Sputnik]

Opus 1 was actually a Yugoslavian 70s heavy progressive band. The Quebecois band's name was Opus-5.

Bill, it's unfathomably important that you get this right from now on. Please, for God's sake - get yourself together.

Gads, you're absolutely correct! Serves me right posting after a cocktail and half a bottle of wine!

[moecurlythanu]

My copy arrived today. Case was smashed to bits and the disc has a nearly 1/8" crack on the rim outside the playing surface. Don't know if it will play properly or not.

Well, it played OK. (Who knows over time.) Anyway, first impression is that this isn't a good album. It's a great album. My favorite thus far from Quebec. Might even call this essential.

[Pr33t]

Anyway, first impression is that this isn't a good album. It's a great album. My favorite thus far from Quebec. Might even call this essential.

I gave this a few listens in the background after it first came in and was impressed enough for an archival release. Really sat down with it yesterday with a friend over and truly got excited. This is an excellent album, period, and displays a lot of the tendencies that the best Quebecois prog has. This certainly made the rare CD purchase for me worthwhile.

[akond]

What's with this Yves St-Laurent dude for numerisation of the tapes, in the credits?? Is that his real name?

He's digital transfer magician, well known in the world of classical music:
http://www.78experience.com/welcome.php?mod=accueil

[Trane]

He's digital transfer magician, well known in the world of classical music:
http://www.78experience.com/welcome.php?mod=accueil

Wow... remastering 78 RPM, uh?? why not after all...

NNah, this was double funny for me, aside the french fashion dude, my brothers are xalled Laurent and Yves, and I used to call them Laurent St-Yves.

[interbellum]

Received this Mailstrom yesterday and enjoy it quite a lot.
The only thing I regret is that I stopped the French lessons when I was 16. Would have been nice to be able to read all the info in the booklet.

[smcfee]

They have an English version of the booklet on the Web, oddly enough. I don't have the URL handy but it should be in the booklet.

[Trane]

They have an English version of the booklet on the Web, oddly enough. I don't have the URL handy but it should be in the booklet.

just look up the PQ site at the album's page, and there is even a link for the lyrics translations.

[smcfee]

Played a couple more songs last night filling in for Mark at the station. You can listen here:

http://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/112/29942.html

[Yves]

Is there a digital download version of this available somewhere? I don't buy physical media any longer.

[interbellum]

They have an English version of the booklet on the Web, oddly enough. I don't have the URL handy but it should be in the booklet.

Thanks. Yeah, after posting I thought of that possibility too. Here it is: http://www.maelstromquebec.com/english.html

[smcfee]

Is there a digital download version of this available somewhere? I don't buy physical media any longer.

There is a digital version available but it's a bit more work.
1) Order CD
2) Rip it.

[Plasmatopia]

Just listened today for the first time. Good stuff.

Edit: I also got the Sloche album "J'Un Oeil" which is completely kicking my ass. I will have to try to get the other Sloche album ASAP.

[Hour Candle]

There is a digital version available but it's a bit more work.
1) Order CD
2) Rip it.

Great one! I love what I hear on this one.. Ordered.

[Mascodagama]

Edit: I also got the Sloche album "J'Un Oeil" which is completely kicking my ass. I will have to try to get the other Sloche album ASAP.

Both albums are solid gold classics in my book. If you dig one you will dig the other.

[Bucka001]

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A couple of vintage ads for Maelstrom as the opening act for VdGG in Montreal and Quebec City, 1976.

[Kanukisbrave]

Another solid find for progquebec... hope the labels rumored demise is not true. There are still releases that need to be preserved or at least given proper releases (Les Temps and Opus5 both could do with new reissues... Opus5 in particular would greatly benefit from something more than the bare-boned releases that disque L'aller-retour gave them.)

[Scrotum Scissor]

Opus5 in particular would greatly benefit from something more than the bare-boned releases that disque L'aller-retour gave them.

They're probably my fave Quebecois together with Sloche and Harmonium, and one of few bands from the region to really sum up the whole deal of what made the music special coming from there. Still I can't see reissues happening, as there's simply not enough reception to be expected; those who'd yearn for some Opus-5 already have and keep them. If they can't find a channel to release the individual titles by a locally relatively significant act such as Octobre, then there's preciously little hope for Opus-5. I'd love to know if there was unreleased material, though - as basically all known stuff by them was of a very high standard.

I think the Les Temps CD reissues from ultimo 15 years back are still in circulation. Sound is tolerable, not great.

[Kanukisbrave]

[QUOTE=Still I can't see reissues happening, as there's simply not enough reception to be expected; those who'd yearn for some Opus-5 already have and keep them. .[/QUOTE]

So true.... But would those who have Opus-5 already be willing to upgrade for a better package with decent notes and possible bonus tracks? I know I would, as for Les Temps those ultimo reissues are really rather hard to find. I guess its a question about the mandate of ProgQuebec... if its to make money, they are in the wrong business, but if its as a historical archival outfit that is willing to at break even I for one salute them and support them where I can... as for Octobre, man wouldn't that be great if that could have been done better....

[Scrotum Scissor]

So true.... But would those who have Opus-5 already be willing to upgrade for a better package with decent notes and possible bonus tracks? I know I would

Me too. And perhaps a hundred others?

I mean, seriously; not even purported "prog fans" are much interested in new and/or "other" names unless these serve to confirm and/or cimpliment what's already known and appreciated. A dying breed, that's what we are - those of us who actually "yearn".

[Plasmatopia]

Both albums are solid gold classics in my book. If you dig one you will dig the other.

Yes, thank you - the reviews I found around the web also indicated that. I listened to J'Un Oeil 3 times yesterday and enjoyed it more each time.

[Kanukisbrave]

Me too. And perhaps a hundred others?

I mean, seriously; not even purported "prog fans" are much interested in new and/or "other" names unless these serve to confirm and/or cimpliment what's already known and appreciated. A dying breed, that's what we are - those of us who actually "yearn".

sucks getting old doesn't it...