Veterans of Éritage, Ad Vielle Que Pourra, and Ouzo Power, Benoit Bourque, Gaston Bernard, and Simon LePage are known across North America for dynamic performances that combine French-Canadian music and dance with Celtic, jazz, and world music influences. With Matapat (1998), Bourque Bernard et LePage let loose on fiddle, accordion, bass, vocals, mandolin, bones, spoons, and feet to create an exciting album of tunes and songs.

With contemplative instrumentals ("La valse matique"), sad love songs ("Beau rossignol sauvage"), zesty tune medleys ("La suite du Bourque émissaire," "La traverse du Saguenay/Le grande triomphe"), modern mouth music ("La turlutte à `Pit"'), and infectious step dancing ("Valse clog/Valse de Cesny"), Matapat is one of the finest introductions to French-Canadian music available. A thoroughly delightful album.

Matapat: Musique traditionnelle du Québec *
1998 Borealis (BCD110)

La suite du casse reel; Matapat; La suite des rubans; La musette et le hautbois; La traverse du Saguenay/Le grand triomphe; La valse matique; Le damné; Beau rossignol sauvage; La turlutte à ``Pit''; La pipe cornue/Le capitaine; Valse clog/La valse de Cesny; La suite du Bourque émissaire 39:49