Les Moontunes – Elephant Wizard (Les Moontunes, 2024)
Acadian ensemble Les Moontunes returned in January 2024 with Elephant Wizard, the Moncton, New Brunswick band’s second full-length concept album.
The group, known for its forward-thinking mix of soul, jazz, and progressive rock, has built a strong following in Eastern Canada. Its enticing music includes tight grooves with extended, inventive rock jams along with beautiful layers of Mellotron-like string synths, beautiful orchestrations, inventive bass lines, elegant jazzy trumpet interludes, and gorgeous flute work. Occasionally, they get a little too heavy for my taste, but thankfully they keep it under control. Meanwhile, the vocals are equally great. At times, the magnetic lead singer reminds me of Jim Morrison (The Doors).
The release follows a string of honors. Les Moontunes earned the 2024 Music NB Innovator Of The Year award, as well as the 2021 Music NB awards for Breakthrough Artist Of The Year and Video Of The Year for the single “Paper Boat.”
Musicians: Miguel Dumaine on vocals, piano, organ, synthesizers, vocoder; Patrick Gaudet on electric guitar; Samuel Frenette on electric guitar; Jeremie Poitras on alto saxophone and synthesizers; Monica Ouellette on bass, trumpet, string synthesizer; Martin Daigle on drums and percussion; and Marc-Andre Richard on drums.
Producer: Mike Trask.
Recording Engineers: Thomas Stajcer at Fang Recording; Mike Trask at Vallée Recording.
Assistant Engineer: Sam Mallais at Vallée Recording.
Mixing: Thomas Stajcer assisted by Mike Trask.
Mastering: Jay Lapointe at Archive Mastering.
Artwork: Miguel Dumaine.