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| Maneige - Libre Service |
 Released: 1978 / 2006 Label: ProgQuebec Cat. No.: MPM10 Total Time: 53:03 | |
Reviewed by: Eric Porter, July 2006 Libre Service shows Maneige leaning to a more jazz-fusion sound. The early recordings had strong classical leanings, and Ni Vent … Ni Nouvelle showed the band tackling a number of styles. Libre Service tends to focus on groove and percussion, in tracks like "L'Envol Des Singes Latins," nailing that airy jazz sound. The xylophone and flute are featured often, giving the songs a lighter quality, which the band is able to counter with guitar and keyboard passages. The intertwining lines of "La Belle Et La Bete" ensures the listener that the band includes plenty of complexity in the arrangements, but this mid-70s period seems to stress shorter, tighter musical arrangements. The music seems stronger without loosing any of that experimental edge. All the tracks feature a variety of dynamics and instruments (sax, flute, xylophone, keyboards, guitars). "Bagdad" to these ears has all the markings of what fans would call RIO today. The broad dynamic range is shown in the middle of the CD, with the softer approach of "Noemi" and "Celebration." Libre Service also offers up three bonus live tracks, and it is immediately obvious that they are capable of recreating their sound live. The bonus live tracks have a good energy to them, this is an edge the studio tracks at times lack. Maneige experimented with different sounds throughout their career, and Libre Service is another example of the band showing a truly progressive spirit. More about Libre Service: Track Listing: Troizix (2:37) / L'envol Des Singes Latins (4:28) / Les Petoncles (4:55) / La Belle Et La Bete (3:28) / Bagdad (1:23) / Noemi (0:47) / Celebration (2:43) / La Noce (7:21) / Toujours Trop Tard (5:05) / Miro Vibro (5:46) / Cancan (4:42) / L'eveil Et L'approche (4:03) / Toujours Trop Tard (5:18) Musicians: Discography
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