La Bottine Souriante
La Mistrine

For those who don't know them, a name to watch out for.
They come from Canada and sing in French. The only condition (perhaps not even essential): you must like folk.

We're talking about a sensational band made up of top-notch musicians. They bear an incredible responsibility: being dubbed by some international press as the best band in the world. No, I wouldn't use that definition, which "by definition" is nonsense.
But without a doubt, they are unbeatable in that spot-on "folk fusion" where the Franco-Canadian Celtic is always the base. To this, we hear added, as in a most original recipe, swing, jazz, French tradition, rock, blues, salsa, reggae, and the Orient, skillfully blended into a "magical" mix. Changes of tempo and rhythm, tap dancing, acrobatic passages, syncopated rhythms, use of wind instruments, wild dances, percussion, tap dancing, and sudden stylistic veers constitute their specifics...
Just think of the instruments used: beyond the bass/drums, saxophones and wind instruments in general, piano, violin, accordion, all types of plucked strings, and choruses.

The listener feels happily transported from a pub in a Scottish province to a jazz club in New York, from a rock stage to a French musical, from Brazil to Morocco, in an inundation of colors and sounds. But there is no disorientation, given the explosive personality and imagination of the Québécois band.
The whole thing, seemingly impossible, is seasoned with taste, fun, and competence.
It is said that they reach their peak live, and I've heard that they've performed in Italy. The fact is that each of their concerts, on five continents, is a tribute of enthusiastic crowds with a sold-out show. Not just a concert, then, but a complete show. Thanks also to Yves Lambert, frontman, accordionist, and singer of the group.

The album I indicated is one of the many possible choices. They have about a dozen CDs to their credit, all quite enjoyable with a lineup that has been variedly reshuffled over the years.
If they should come near us, let's not lose sight of them!