Ravir is the starting point of the feminine side of Ambiances Magnétiques. Three of the six musicians on this album would become permanent members of the collective and play important roles in the development of the Montreal avant-garde scene: saxophonist Joane Hétu, keyboardist Diane Labrosse, and drummer Danielle P. Roger, who would be together again in Les Poules and Justine. But in the winter of 1985, when Ravir was recorded, Wondeur Brass also comprised Hélène Bédard on trombone, Ginette Bergeron on saxophone, and Judith Gruber-Stitz on bass, guitar, and violin. This first LP already had most of the ingredients that would be carried over to future projects: a new wave/anti-new wave format, elements of progressive rock derived from Henry Cow and the Canterbury scene, and elements of free jazz. Acoustic instruments (saxophones, trombone) were a novelty in an all-female new wave group at the time, but more surprising was the way Hétu and Bergeron quacked, screamed, and quarter-toned. Ravir oscillates between almost straightforward numbers (but vocals are harsh and solos detuned) like Portez-Vous Bien (Take Care) and It's Insane and tunes with complex rhythm structures and developing themes such as Peau de Chat (Cat Skin) and the beautiful Trois Baleines Blanches sur Chinoise Mer (Three White Whales on Sea Chinese). Looking back, it's astonishing how much this LP was in time with similar avant-garde artists from Europe and Japan (Tenko, After Dinner, No Secrets in the Family). ~ François Couture, Rovi

1		Peau de Chat
2		Free, Fast and Clean
3		Gina et Majorettes
4		It's Insane
5		Portez-Vous Bien
6		L' Ombre Est Là/Umbrella
7		Comptine Pour Mademoiselle
8		Trois Baleines Blanches Sur Chinoise Mer

	Like us on Facebook
	@SoundHound	Follow