Maneige and Lasting Weep
 

One band is a recommendation, but two bands are thread, right? If you like prog albums that depart from that go-to lineup of elec guitars, vocals and keyboards, read on:-

Maneige were a band from Canada, apparently called "Quebec's answer to Pierre Moelin's Gong" by journalists (who so like to imagine musicians competing by country, like sportsmen.) But at least that label gives some idea of the percussive prog-fusion sound of Maneige. The first side of their first album (1975) is a 21-min track, so expect a leisurely start before they really kick in:-




And over three nights in 1976, discerning or lucky Montreal concert-goers could've caught this performance by Lasting Weep , a kind of sister band to Maneige. Here's the album of those concerts, and a review from progarchives that gives it 4.5 stars - and also explains how the one band is related to the other. One thing's for sure: if you like Maneige you'll like Lasting Weep too :-



Progarchives review: https://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=15547

Anyone else ever come across these bands that I'm just now beginning to explore?

Funny thing you mention Gong. I just discovered this video by them recently and was playing it quite often the past week. I think I like them enough to go through their albums and discover what else they have to offer.

Gong - I Never Glid Before


edit: oh wait, they are a different band. Pierre Moerlen's Gong is an offshoot of Gong led by Daevid Allen.

^ I enjoyed that clip more than I expected, Neapolitan. The first Gong had some good music I believe, but I've usually found Daevid Allen's weird whimsey to be off-putting.

Remember SkaLagosJewSunRa? He really liked DA's Gong, as you'll see if you read this old album-club thread reviewing the second Gong (Pierre Moelin's) album Gazeuse:-

https://www.musicbanter.com/jazz-blu...se-1976-a.html