Thirty years ago the Quebecois progressive scene was a bubbling cauldron of musical ideas, which resulted in some of the finest ( and rarest) progressive rock ever recorded.
Fast forward to 2002 and this scene is revisited in grand style with the release of the first Ere G record:" Au Dela Des Ombres" ( beyond the shadows). This band is primarily the brainchild of multi instrumentalist Robin Gaudreault, who plays a myriad of instruments and penns all the music. This is not a one-man show though, as M Gaudreault is backed by several musicians playing a variety of acoustic and electric instruments, giving the disc that Quebecois feel of yesteryear.Violins, flutes,alto and soprano recorders,and a metallophone all help round out an already lush sound created courtesy of 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars , piano, and various unnamed analog keyboards. Drawing influences primarily from pastoral sounding bands like Harmonium and Le Temps , Ere G 's music is a richly orchestrated and soothing fare.
Written purely for escapism, Robin Gaudreault and Co invite the listener to join them on an odyssey ' beyond the shadows'. Filled with poetic prose which at times seems ambiguous and introspective and at times political and accusatory, " Au Dela Des Ombres" is a fine example of what once was in the music heralding from " La Belle Province" and what could be once again. Essential for fans of the Quebecois scene of the '70's.