L'Orkestre des Pas Perdus

This six-piece Montreal brass band (whose name roughly translates as "Lost Steps Orchestra") is dedicated to having a great time without compromising any of its formidable musicianship along the way. Formed by trombonist and composer Claude St.-Jean in 1993, the band also includes saxophones and trumpet, as well as a rhythm section comprised of drums and -- no, not bass -- sousaphone. St.-Jean writes and arranges all the band's material, consisting of short tunes that generally stay locked in upbeat funky grooves with tight background riffing and a lot of hot soloing from members of the front line. Their CDs are good-natured, high-energy affairs that blend the sounds of a New Orleans or European street band with a host of contemporary elements, including Frank Zappa, Carla Bley, and Italian soundtrack composer Nino Rota. L'Orkestre des Pas Perdus is part of the Montreal avant-garde "musique actuelle" scene and records on Ambiances Magnétiques, the label of experimentalists like bandleader Jean Derome and guitarist/saxophonist René Lussier. Two releases in particular are among the most accessible -- and somewhat musically conservative -- on the label, but this shouldn't be taken as a criticism. St.-Jean and his compatriots perform original and engaging music that should satisfy avant-gardists as well as anyone who likes their jazz with a liberal helping of adventurous, high-spirited fun. ~ Dave Lynch, All Music Guide