Jean Derome et les Dangereux Zhoms + 7

At the celebration for the 25th anniversary of the Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville (FIMAV), reedist Jean Derome and an expanded version of his ensemble performed the two pieces that make up this disc. Derome is a mainstay of Quebec's musique actuelle scene, debuting the Dangereux Zhoms in 1992 at FIMAV's tenth anniversary. Plates-Formes et Traquenards showcases Derome's compositional skills, as well as his ability to let loose, rock out and spray some noise. The arranged passages are lyrically clever, as the various instruments have fun with the written melodies. Joane Hétu's powerfully expressive voice and Martin Tétreault's turntable work take the music in unique directions. The disc is alive with positive energy, and surely the live performance that created it was even more high-spirited. Derome immerses himself in his music, and it shows.