Here, we have a disc from Jean Derome, one of Ambiances Magnétiques’ founders and one of Québec’s most celebrated musicians. Le sourire features his all-star band Somebody Special and follows the approach found on their self-titled debut release: reimagining the songs of saxophonist and composer Steve Lacy. Derome leads the outfit on alto horn, bass flute and occasional voice, and enlists both collaborators from his longtime trio project (bassist Normand Guilbeault and Pierre Tanguay on drums), then adds the legendary Montréal vocalist Karen Young and the dense, elegant piano work of Alexandre Grogg.
12
Apr
[ April 17th, 2026 release via Ambiances Magnétiques – Allison Cameron & Scott Thomson – Platanus ]
Montréal’s Ambiances Magnétiques label, one of many imprints distributed by the venerable DAME is announcing two exciting new releases due out on April 17th, 2026 on CD and digital formats. First of them, the near-hour’s worth of music, PLATANUS, contained on the first duo recording from multifaceted artists Scott Thomson (trombone) and Allison Cameron (crackle synthesiser, keyboards, tapes) pulls listeners into a uniquely disorienting topography.
28
Jun
[ June the 27th, 2025 release on DAME: Joane Hétu – Elle a son mot à dire ]
Just on the cusp of Montréal’s summer season, stalwart experimental music distributor DAME will be launching a pair of new recordings from some of their most cherished collaborators. Composer, saxophonist, vocalist (and former DAME president), Joane Hétu has been a pivotal figure within Québec’s vibrant musique actuelle scene since its beginnings in the early 1980s. Her groundbreaking work in avant-pop projects such as Wondeur Brass, Justine and Les Poules merged the pluralist ethos of NYC’s “downtown,” the wayward extensions of prog happening in the UK, and the possibilities afforded by cutting-edge technology,
01
Mar
[ March the 7th, 2025 release on Ambiances Magnétiques: Nour Symon – je suis calme et enragé•e ]
release date:07.03.2025 on Ambiances Magnétiques
je suis calme et enragé•e, (I am calm and enraged), is Nour Symon‘s latest creation. Oscillating between the form of the musical, poetical manifestó or theatrical performance, yet framed with the visual extravaganza while staged, it is not your usual piece of cake easy to classify. Many contradicting acts take place throughout the runway of the six tracks, all containing neither vocalise nor spoken or recited words. Not to mention the music framework wrapping it into the complex, finished work, yet with the score executed in a far from conventional way.