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promotional CD

BALTHAZAR is an unmissable group from the Montreal underground scene. They left their traces with a powerful and eclectic punk-rock-ska, which also touches reggae, groove and disco. Since 1995 the band played at several places in Montreal (Cabaret, Lion d’Or, Club Soda, Foufounes Electriques), in Venezuela (Amazonas Festival 98) and in 1999-2000 on a twelve months tour in eight european countries (France, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia and Croatia).

In Montreal the release of their first, self produced album in november 1997 (14 tracks) was showered with favorable press reviews:

" The best band of the year 1998 in Montreal" (Paroles et Musiques).

" Flowers came from all sides, people speak already of the next great band from Montreal ... " (La Presse)

" my call is that these guys will blow up huge " (Hour)

" Dangerous! " (Voir)

At the moment the band is at work on the production of their second album, which is likely to be released in the autumn of 2001.

The musicians:
Balthazar Boudreau is the singer-guitarist and principal text writer of the group. The universe of his textes meets those of Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, Vladimir Vissotski, Tom Waits, but also Boulgakov and Dostoievski... His music is inspired by rock, punk and american, british and eastern-european folk: Bowie, Bratsch, Pogues, Stooge, Velvet Underground ...

Manon Chaput is the bass player of the band. She is influenced from very various directions: rock (Pixies), funk (Maceo Parker) and electronic synthesis (Asian Dub Foundation). She studied at the "Conservatoire de musique du Collège St-Laurent" in Montreal, she participates in numerous artistic projects, that combine circus, dance, music and acrobatics. Besides she took part in the album "Le Dôme" of Jean Leloup in 1994, before she joined Balthazar in 1995 ...

Jean Gravel is a drummer, whose style is influenced by the reggae of Lee Scratch Perry and the punk-rock of the Sex Pistols and the Clash. 1985 he participated in the first album of the SCUM from Montreal (concerts with the Dead Kennedys, UK Subs, Circle Jerks, DRI etc. ...). After that he is recruited by The Nils and he recorded an album in New York, produced by Chris Spedding. The Nils reach the alternative charts of the Rolling Stone Magazine. After repeated cooperation with reggae bands he takes part in the album Le Dôme of Jean Leloup and joins Balthazar in 1995.

Other musicians join too:

Cyril Leclerc, DJ from Montpellier (France), known as "Puking Cat", who takes part in the recording of the second album of the band.

Hakim Hamadouche, algerian mando-luth player (Rachid Taha, Oriental Fusion, ...) participates in the recording of the second album of the band too.

Alexis Cochard, bass player and composer of Jean Leloup. Since 1995 he participates in the recordings and several concerts of the band.

For more information mail to: balthazar_mtl@hotmail.com or mail@canalfram.com

CU!

The production team.

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promotional CD

1. Song for David
2. Backwash
3. Magic
4. Jungle
5. Desert
6. Ragged man
7. Big fancy car
8. Mariana
9. Dizzly walking through
10. Yiddish connection
11. Diamond street
12. Dirty baby
13. Love
14. Dream world