ProgQuebec Progresson Music Inc.
********** Musique Progresson Inc.
1800 McGill, Suite 2102
Montreal, H3A 3J6
CANADA
www.progquebec.com
Distr. : CA -
NE - Shiny Beast/Clear Spot
Style : psychedelic / prog rock / blues / folk / fusion / funk / soul /
Afro beat / jazz fusion /
MPM 1 VILLE EMARD BLUES BAND : COMPLETE VEBB AU COMPLET 2CD .2004
(1973-1975)
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MPM 2 TOUBABOU TOUBABOU 2CD 11.2004
Formed to perform in front of 40,000 people at the original Francofete festival
in Québec, this early world fusion band mixed African musicians including renowned
percussionist Doudou N'Diaye Rose and his Rosettes with leading Québec musicians
on live album 'Le Blé Et Le Mil'. 1975 saw the Québec contingent release 'Attente'
which added a jazz-rock aesthetic. Compared to Osibisa. This set includes both
albums and never-released multi-media video footage including lost composition
'Esmerelda'.
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MPM 3 CONTRACTION CONTRACTION CD 03.2005
One of the most sought after progressive bands from Montreal, Contraction was formed
in the dying days of their friend Franck Dervieux, and released two albums of
beautiful music highlighted by Christiane Robichaud's angelic vocals. The first
album is more melodic and accessible, with shorter song-oriented tracks and brief
instrumentals forming continuous song cycles.
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MPM 4 CONTRACTION LA BOURSE OU LA VIE CD 03.2005
One of the most sought after progressive bands from Montreal, Contraction was formed
in the dying days of their friend Franck Dervieux, and released two albums of
beautiful music highlighted by Christiane Robichaud's angelic vocals. This second
album is a staple of progressive rock, with the three-part 18-minute title track,
a rock arrangement of the folk traditional 'Claire Fontaine', and the King Crimson
inspired 'L'Ame A Tout Faite', which utilizes themes composed by the late Dervieux.
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MPM 5 L'ORCHESTRE SYMPATHIQUE : EN CONCERT A LA GRANDE PASSE CD 05.2005
Featuring vibraphone, flute, piano, bass, and drums, L'Orchestre Sympathique offered
a percussive, melodic brand of jazz-rock fusion with comparisons to Weather Report
and Pierre Moerlen-era Gong. Their releases were all live and self-funded, using
ticket sales from the concerts to fund the recording and release of the performances.
Originally produced in a quantity of 300 back in 1978, this is the first CD reissue
of the band's material. The band toured Europe extensively in the 1980s and reunited
to play the Montreal Jazz Festival in 2004.
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MPM 6 POLLEN POLLEN CD 07.2005
One of the most acclaimed and sought-after progressive rock bands from Québec,
Pollen amalgamated the sound of Yes, Genesis, and Gentle Giant but gave it a uniquely
Québecois twist, with vocals and lyrics similar to Harmonium and a continental
European sound akin to bands like Ange and PFM. Fans of symphonic progressive rock
with virtuoso keyboards, soaring guitar solos and dynamic multi-part compositions
go wild about this album!
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MPM 7 MANEIGE LIVE A L' EVECHE CD 03.2006
ProgQuébec's first release from the seminal Montreal progressive band Maneige,
who existed from 1973 to 1983. This is an hour-long concert from 1975 with 20 min.
bonus material from 1974. The main concert is at the bridge between their early,
classically informed progressive chamber rock period, with the 29-minute
'La Balloune', and their middle period consisting of concise, melodic, intricate
jazz fusion. 'Mambo Chant' and 'Les Pinettes' which would later appear on their
album 'Ni Vent... Ni Nouvelle', get an airing here. The bonus material includes the
18-minute 'Le Rafiot' from their first release. This is an excellent introduction
to the band as it showcases both periods of the band.
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MPM 8 JEROME LANGLOIS MOLIGNAK CD 10.2005
After thirty years of working in classical music, jazz, and soundtracks, Jerome
Langlois returns to the style of music that guided his compositions for the first
two Maneige albums. Featuring a chamber-rock ensemble of clarinet, violin, piano,
keys, bass, and drums, 'Molignak' is often compared to European chamber rock groups,
old and new, including Julverne, Gatto Marte, and later Univers Zero. The line-up
includes Bernard Cormier of Conventum, Gilles Schetagne of Maneige, and Mario Legare
of Octobre. Seventy minutes of entirely instrumental material, 'Molignak' is at once
a comeback and a new direction.
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MPM 9 MANEIGE NI VENT... NI NOUVELLE CD 11.2005
The middle period of Maneige was represented by three releases, two studio releases
and the live album 'Composite'. 'Ni Vent... Ni Nouvelle' is lushly orchestrated
symphonic jazz rock, with over thirty instruments employed over the course of the
album. Although the musicians are all clearly virtuosi, the emphasis is very much
on the group interplay, especially the two percussionists (Schetagne and Picard)
feeding off each other.
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MPM 10 MANEIGE LIBRE SERVICE CD 03.2006
The middle period of Maneige was represented by three releases, two studio releases
and the live album 'Composite'. 'Libre Service' features more groove and elements
of Latin percussion, but also has some of the band's most beautiful and introspective
work. 90% of the album 'Composite' is remastered and included on these two releases
as bonus material.
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MPM 11 YVES LAFERRIERE YVES LAFERRIERE CD 07.2006
Co-composer for Contraction, Yves Laferriere's solo album, originally released in
1978, integrates elements of rock, jazz fusion, and film scoring to create a diverse
and pleasing largely instrumental album filled alternately with beauty and surprise.
The very impressive musician list includes members of Contraction, L'Orchestre
Sympathique and Conventum. René Lussier's guitar playing is a particular highlight.
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MPM 12 CONVENTUM A L'AFFUT D'UN COMPLOT CD 05.2005
Like many great bands Conventum were largely discovered after their dissolution,
when Chris Cutler found one of their records and then put one of their compositions
on the Recommended Records Sampler. This first Conventum album includes three
guitarists, two violininsts, and a poet. It is kind of an avant-garde folk album,
beautiful and alarming. This reissue include bonus material and high quality 16 page
booklet which comprise the most accurate historical information available about the
group.
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MPM 13 CONVENTUM : LE BUREAU CENTRAL DES UTOPIES CD 05.2006
Like many great bands Conventum were largely discovered after their dissolution,
when Chris Cutler found one of their records and then put one of their compositions
on the Recommended Records Sampler. 'Le Bureau Central Des Utopies' gets closer to
a chamber feel at times and is almost entirely instrumental. Members of Conventum
have gone on to found the Ambiances Magnétiques "out music" label, and to perform
in bands such as Les Quatre Guitaristes De L'Apocalypso Bar. Highly recommended to
the avant-prog/RIO crowd, this reissue includes bonus material and high quality
16 page booklet which comprise the most accurate historical information available
about the group.
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MPM 14 CHARLES KACZYNSKI LUMIERE DE LA NUIT CD .2006
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MPM 15 MANEIGE LES PORCHES LIVE CD 09.2006
What a find! Another archival concert from the first era of Maneige that reaches
70 minutes in length, but amazingly there is absolutely zero crossover with
'Live A L'Eveche'. Sound quality is great for the time period. Although we don't
know the exact concert date, we do know that it was from before the release of
'Les Porches' because some of the arrangements are not like the final album. Includes
the entire album 'Les Porches' performed live, plus the compositions 'Chromo' and
'Jean-Jacques' from the first album, and finally a never-released 18-minute track
'Chou-Fleur' which is as good as anything else they did at the time.
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MPM 16 JACQUES TOM RIVEST JACQUES TOM RIVEST CD 05.2006
Rivest was the leader of the group Pollen and this first solo album finds most of
Pollen helping out, only with a different bassist (and the original drummer of Pollen
incidentally). The tracks are less obviously prog, and at times are more folky or
more rock. However "Mego" Lemay is still in fine form on keys and his playing
highlights four or five different tracks. So if you are hoping for something exactly
like Pollen, this isn't it. But this is in essence the second Pollen album, it merely
reflects the time it was released (1979) as the band tries to remain current while
still having some fine progressive moments. A non album single is included as a bonus
track.
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MPM 17 L'ENGOULEVENT : L'ILE OU VIVENT LES LOUPS CD 09.2006
One of the great progressive folk releases, here we have Michel McLean, a veteran
of the folk-rock scene with groups such as Les Karrik, teaming with clasically
trained pianist Pierre Moreau. Rounding out the band are members on violin and cello,
and several guests. The result is a release that alternates between folk and chamber
music, mixing the best elements of each for a fresh and satisfying result. Hard to
compare this to anything, but the Dutch band Flairck might do.
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MPM 18 LASTING WEEP 1969-1971 CD 03.2007
Lasting Weep is one of the formative groups of the Québec progressive scene,
consisting of Jerôme Langlois and Alain Bergeron who were later to co-found Maneige,
as well as Claude Chapleau on bass and Mathieu Legere on drums and percussion. The
early music is proto-progressive/psych with influences from classical music and some
resemblance to early Jethro Tull due to the prominent role of flute. While this early
material is more proto-progressive in nature, this later work is very much in line
with the best Maneige albums.
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MPM 19 LASTING WEEP LE SPECTACLE L'ALBATROS CD 03.2007
Lasting Weep is one of the formative groups of the Québec progressive scene,
consisting of Jerôme Langlois and Alain Bergeron who were later to co-found Maneige,
as well as Claude Chapleau on bass and Mathieu Legere on drums and percussion.
While the group was together they worked on an epic called 'Albatros' which was
performed in concert and would last up to 40 minutes. After leaving Maneige, Langlois
completed this epic and recorded it live several times with members of Maneige,
Lasting Weep, and various Québec luminaries including Raoul Duguay, and the result
was finally released in 2007 as 'Le Spectacle De L'Albatros'. This later work is
very much in line with the best Maneige albums.
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MPM 20 BREGENT PARTIR POUR AILLEUR CD 03.2007
Released in 1979, this album features the Bregent brothers, Jacques on vocals and
Michel-Georges (also of the duo Dionne-Bregent) on keys. M-G also composed most of
the music. Jacques was the leader of this project, however, and his interest lay in
making sure classic French poetry (from Quebec as well as France) continued to be
heard by setting it to music. The music is quite adventurous and influenced by modern
classical and minimalism as much as rock, while Jacques vocals are dramatic, soothing,
jarring, evocative. A rather obscure but excellent set of compositions, this reissue
includes most of a concert recorded in 1977 that is among the only live footage known
to exist of this group.
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XXI CD DIONNE-BREGENT ANTHOLOGIE 2cd 08.2007
Excellent keyboards/percussion duo who released two albums in the 1970s, both included
on this 2CD compilation along with bonus tracks. 'Et Le Troisieme Jour' was more
experimental while 'Deux' was more symphonic. Between the two there are plenty of
reference points in classical music, minimalism, e-music, symphonic rock, and so on
- Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd's 'Shine On', Mike Oldfield etc.
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MPM 22 MORSE CODE PROCREATION CD 05.2007
Reissue of 1976 album. Keyboardist and vocalist Christian Simard was also the main
composer of this group, who took cues from Yes and Genesis while making three albums
of strong symphonic progressive rock. They also had some hits at the time, most
notably the intended-for-disco 'Cocktail' which ends up being a concise little
instrumental gem. Most tasty for prog collectors is the three-part, 26-minute epic
'Procration'. These highly anticipated remaster also comes with bonus tracks.
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MPM 23 MORSE CODE JE SUIS LE TEMPS CD 06.2007
Reissue of 1977 album. Keyboardist and vocalist Christian Simard was also the main
composer of this group, who took cues from Yes and Genesis while making three albums
of strong symphonic progressive rock. They also had some hits at the time, most
notably the intended-for-disco 'Cocktail' which ends up being a concise little
instrumental gem.
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MPM 24 MANEIGE MANEIGE CD 08.2007
At long last, thanks to EMI Music Canada, the first two Maneige releases are available
on CD. Although live versions of much of this material have previously been available
in a digital format, it is obviously very satisfying to have the original studio
recordings, remastered and free of pops and clicks, available for enjoyment.
Featuring lengthy almost chamber-rock compositions, the first two Maneige albums
are ambitious works with an original compositional voice, synthesizing some of the
best parts of Soft Machine, Frank Zappa's 'Hot Rats', Gentle Giant, and so on.
This first album comes with two live-in-studio bonus tracks including one never
before released.
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MPM 25 MANEIGE LES PORCHES CD 08.2007
At long last, thanks to EMI Music Canada, the first two Maneige releases are available
on CD. Although live versions of much of this material have previously been available
in a digital format, it is obviously very satisfying to have the original studio
recordings, remastered and free of pops and clicks, available for enjoyment.
Featuring lengthy almost chamber-rock compositions, the first two Maneige albums
are ambitious works with an original compositional voice, synthesizing some of the
best parts of Soft Machine, Frank Zappa's 'Hot Rats', Gentle Giant, and so on.
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MPM 26 JEROME LANGLOIS LIVE AU FMPM/THEMES 2CD 08.2007
Jerome's live performance from the FMPM 2006 is now captured on CD for posterity!
The live realization of 'Molignak' is perhaps even stronger than the studio, as the
line-up is expanded to include Francois Richard of Orchestre Sympathique on flute
and keyboards, and Paul Picard of Maneige on additional percussion. Back from the
studio album are both Jerôme and his daughter Romie, bassist Mario Legare (Octobre),
drummer Gilles Schetagne (Maneige), and violinist Bernard Cormier (Conventum
/Engoulevent). In addition to being a live showcase for the highlights of 'Molignak',
this performance also includes a specially arranged 10-minute version of the Maneige
epic 'Le Rafiot', an arrangement of the Lasting Weep piece 'Chanson Des Iles', and
the 13-minute duet between father and daughter 'Rhapsodie Molinienne' which so
captured the attention of the live audience. In addition to all this a second CD
is included featuring Jerôme's 1984 album 'Themes' in its entirety. This release
includes music of Maneige, Lasting Weep, and original compositions arranged for
solo piano. In addition to this there are two bonus tracks totalling over 20 minutes
from 1976 of original piano compositions by Jerôme. This is a vital part of Langlois'
oeuvre that has received little attention until now, but this will finally change.
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MPM 27 JACQUES BLAIS THEMES CD .2008
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MPM 28 OFFENBACH SAINT-CHRONE DE NEANT CD 06.2008
Offenbach was one of Québec's best known bands in the 1970s. They were known primarily
as a hard rock band, although their early material, featuring two organists, tends to
be more experimental than their later commercial output. This was their biggest cult
album, a recording of the Mass of the Dead in Latin. Because of the instrumentation
and the language parts of this remind me of the Italian proto-progressive/psych scene.
This remaster contains about 20 minutes of bonus material that was never released,
as it restores the entire mass including some rites performed by the priest, and their
original encore as the mass was ending.
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MPM 29 OFFENBACH BULLDOZER CD 06.2008
This was a soundtrack to a 1974 film by Pierre Harel, who was the organist and band
co-leader at the time. It includes a number of instrumental tracks and rearranged
versions of some of the band's early hits. The style ranges between bluesy hard rock
and more experimental conceptual tracks. No one is going to confuse this with Morse
Code but these guys have some muscle to their music and it's been compared to Uriah
Heep or Atomic Rooster.
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MPM 30 VILLE EMARD BLUES BAND : LIVE AU FMPM 2007 CD 10.2008
August 2004 saw the return of the mega-group Ville Emard Blues Band on the Plains
of Abraham for Quebec's Francofete... now including a second generation of musicians,
and led by Chris "Mad Frog" Gagnon (son of Bill Gagnon, original VEBB leader).
The 1970's met the new millenium with classic melodies and music, and the two
generations met each other on stage (amongst them Chris and Gabrielle Gagnon with
their father Bill, Michel Sguin Jr. and Sr., as well as Serge Vallieres, Michel
Dion and Richard Perotte from the classic mega-lineup. The group presents itself
at 2007's Festival des Musiques Progressives de Montral (FMPM) in 2007, all was
recorded, and we now share with you this magical evening.
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MPM 31 EXCUBUS MEMOIRES INCUBUSSIENNES CD 12.2008
It is far from often that ProgQuébec are stunned to find an excellent progressive
group from 1970's-era Québec which was simply forgotten! Such is the case with Incubus
(rebaptised ExCubus for this CD release, in order to avoid being confused with the
Los Angeles band of the same name). This quartet received the chance of a lifetime:
to record four compositions at the legendary Château d'Hérouville in France.
Despite the excellence of these recordings, the group never released an album.
That is, until now. Joining the 1970's tapes are four more compositions from that
era, recorded in 2007. The result is an exceptional album from a group not unlike
the Italian band Le Orme. Simply put, a great keyboard-heavy group and an amazing
find!
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MPM 32 YVAN OUELLET LE CHANT DES CHOSES CD 05.2009
Former keyboardist for both Ville Emard Blues Band and Toubabou, Yvan Ouellet
surprised everyone in 1979 with a peaceful and jazzy album which struck a chord
within its seven songs. Ouellet is accompanied by former bandmates Yves Laferriere,
Christiane Robichaud and Richard Perotte... as well as distinguished artists such
as Marie-Claire Sguin et Raôul Duguay. Discover why this album was included in La
Presse's "200 Best Albums Ever Recorded by a Quebec Artist".
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MPM 33 CONTRACTION LIVE 1974 CD 05.2009
What a long-forgotten treasure!!! Contraction entered Montreal's Studio Tempo during
the winter of 1974, in order to participate in CKVL-FM's radio series 'Performances'.
Forgotten for 35 years, the recording was rediscovered in 2009. Included in this
performance are no less than three previously unreleased tracks: 'Solid Shine',
'Le Temps Fuit Comme Une Ombre' and 'Sagesse'. The band interprets several pieces
from its first album with an energy that surpasses that of the original studio
recordings, and share a work in progress which would become the title track of their
second album, 'La Bourse Ou La Vie'. As a bonus, the instrumental studio version of
'Sagesse' is also included here. Essential for Contraction fans!
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MPM 34 MIRIODOR LIVE 89 CD 09.2009
This release commemorates 25 years of existence for the group, as well as the 20th
anniversary of these concerts. In 1989 Miriodor was a trio of musicians, keyboardist
Pascal Globensky, drummer Rmi Leclerc and saxophonist Sabin Hudon. The emergence
of MIDI as a viable technology allowed the group to add more orchestral flavors to
their complex instrumental compositions, and they were functioning at a high level
as a touring unit, having played FIMAV in 1988 and performing in France and Belgium
in 1989 before returning home to play additional concerts in Québec.
The material on 'Live 89', 12 tracks in all totaling over 50 minutes of music,
covers their self-titled release and early versions of material that would end up
being on the third album, '3rd Warning'. In addition there are five pieces that
have never appeared on another album and display the high degree of quality we have
come to expect from this group. These pieces are taken from concerts in France,
Montreal, and Québec City. One of Québec's most unique groups, straddling the border
between rehearsal-intensive progressive rock and the free exploration of musique
actuelle, this live document is an important part of their history.
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MPM 35 SLOCHE J'UN OEIL CD 09.2009
Remastered reissue of debut album by French Canadian progressive rock band in the
vein of the Canterbury scene, Soft Machine, Hatfield & the North, Caravan etc...
Originally released in 1975.
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MPM 36 SLOCHE STADACONE CD 09.2009
Reissue of their second album from 1976. More progressive jazz-funk rock in the
Canterbury style.
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MPM 37 OFFENBACH TABARNAC 2CD 06.2011
Offenbach is a Québec blues rock band, initially active from 1969 to 1985. Formed
in Montreal in the late 1960s as Les Gants Blancs, the band went through a variety
of names (including 7e Invention, Grandpa & Company, Offenbach Pop Opera and Offenbach
Soap Opera) before settling on Offenbach. Offenbach's 1975 double-live album
'Tabarnac' features 5 live bonus tracks representing nearly 40 minutes of additional
music (total 2 hours of music) + lyrics!
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MPM 38 EXCUBUS LAGAUCHETIERE CD 09.2011
The group's second album featuring more unreleased music composed in the 1970s by
members of the group Incubus.
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MPM 39 VOS VOISINS VOS VOISINS CD 09.2011
Reissue of their 1971 album including 2 bonus tracks! Excellent heavy psych/prog rock
album with great guitars.
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MPM 40 FRANCK DERVIEUX DIMENSIN "M" CD 06.2012
Franck Dervieux was born in France, and later moved to Québec. 'Dimension 'M'' is
one of the earliest prog albums from Québec (1971). The root system for later bands
such as Contraction and Ville Emard Blues Band. Keyboard heavy progressive rock,
with a looser structure, making it highly appealing on repeated listens. A very
important album, and one of Québec's finest.
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MPM 41 MAELSTROM MAELSTROM CD 10.2016
Recorded in 1976 at the legendary Morin-Heights Studio and unreleased until 2016,
this undiscovered Québecois progressive rock gem is packed with juicy solos and
complex arrangements,with keyboards, sax and xylophones creating an idiosyncratic
sound in the vein of Genesis, Gentle Giant and Yes.
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All notes taken from: www.shinybeast.nl