Horizons

Vishtèn comprises multi-instrumentalists Emmanuelle and Pastelle LeBlanc from the Evangeline Region of Prince Edward Island, home to a Francophone Acadian community with a rich tradition of song and instrumental music. They are joined by Pascal Miousse from the even smaller archipelago of the predominantly Francophone Magdalen Islands, noted for its distinctive French dialect, songs and unique fiddling style. All of the award-winning trio were raised in homes in which traditional music, percussive dance and kitchen parties were part of everyday life and, as they approach their 15th anniversary, their sixth album together is a joyous homage to their traditions, coupled with the adventurous, modern sensibility that has made them worldwide festival favourites.

This time around, new instruments such as electric guitar and piano merge effortlessly with their sibling harmonies, foot percussion and mouth music, while fiddles, guitar, accordion, mandolin, flutes, piano, bodhrán and Jew's harp continue to demonstrate the richness of traditional sounds. Masterful arrangements of traditional Cajun lyrics and melodies as on ‘Les Clefs de la Prison’ are brilliantly juxtaposed with the more modern groove of originals like ‘Bi Bi Box’, while the moodier feel of closing tracks ‘L'Autre Femme’ and ‘Âmes Soeurs’ hint intriguingly at future musical adventures.