Nuit Caline A La Villa Mon Reve - Juillet 1977 (1977 Belgium). Here’s an album I had during the 1990’s, that I ultimately sold. It’s not a decision I regret, but it’s nice to revisit the title from time to time. Nuit Caline… are a large collective from the south of Belgium that sounds to me like many of the albums coming out of Quebec during this time. Very much a communal affair, with many ideas and a general uplifting mood. Violin, female vocals and acoustic guitar dominate, with many other instruments providing some color. A nice one. For fans of Connivence and L’Engoulevent. No CD exists.
Octobre - Survivance (1975 Canada). 3rd album by group who are at the crossroads of progressive and pop music. Somewhat like a Quebecois Supertramp, lead by strong keyboard work, excellent lead guitars, fine vocals in French. The wordless female vocals recall Contraction and the overall style points to Morse Code’s mid 70’s work. The two instrumental tracks highlight this middle-tier work. Not on CD. Actually all of the Octobre albums are not on CD except their 4th.
Vent d’Est - s/t (1980 France). Melodic progressive in the Camel / Pink Floyd vein. The instrumental work is quite good, especially the guitarist who lights it up quite a bit more than most from this era. Plenty of commercially oriented material to wade through as well, similar to the Octobre above. No CD for this one either. The kind of album that Musea used to reissue in the early 90s, but sadly no more.