Tout Va - Le bounce b/w Je m'efforce

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Le bounce	02:28

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Je m'efforce

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Information/Write-up

"Le Bounce" by Tout Va is a fascinating and energetic 45-rpm single from 1966, produced by the prolific Marty Hill (aka Martin Martin). This release is a curious piece of Québec’s garage and R&B history, filled with mystery and intrigue, particularly concerning the origins of the band and the track itself.

A Web of Covers and Influences
The song "Le Bounce" has a convoluted history. Originally recorded as "The Bounce" by American R&B group The Olympics in 1963, it was later covered by Don Norman & The Other Four, an Ottawa-based garage band, in 1966. That same year, they released a French version under the alias Les Demi-Douzaines on the Solfège label.

This is where things get murky. Tout Va, the band featured on this Beaumont-label release, recorded their own version of "Le Bounce" in the same year. Was it simply another group inspired by Don Norman & The Other Four? Or was it a rebranding of Les Demi-Douzaines themselves? Adding to the confusion, the songwriting credit on the Tout Va single is attributed to a certain "Desrosiers" rather than the actual composers. The lack of definitive answers only makes this record more intriguing.

Musicality and Production
Regardless of its origins, "Le Bounce" is a fantastic track that fuses blue-eyed soul, R&B, and classic dance music. The brass section is bold and punchy, giving the song a high-energy, danceable groove. The chorus is powerful and incredibly catchy, making it an undeniable dance floor shaker. There’s a raw, almost live-sounding break towards the end of the track, which adds to its electrifying feel.

The production, handled by Marty Hill, is top-notch and showcases his signature style—hard-hitting garage rock blended with soulful elements. Hill was known for working on a mix of obscure and more mainstream Québec recordings, and this single stands out as one of his strongest.

B-Side: "Je m’efforce"
The B-side, "Je m’efforce," is a cover of a Curtis Mayfield composition, likely written for The Impressions. It carries the same quality production and strong performance, reinforcing that Tout Va was a group with immense potential, even if they only left behind this one recording.

A Collector’s Gem with Lingering Questions
Despite its incredible energy and craftsmanship, the single remains an enigmatic piece of Québec’s 1960s garage and soul scene. Few details exist about Tout Va, and the record remains highly sought after by collectors. The mystery only deepens when considering why a band with such talent never released more material.

Overall, this 45 is an underrated gem that showcases the vibrant but often overlooked Québec garage scene of the 1960s. If you ever come across a copy, don’t hesitate to grab it—it’s a rare and exhilarating listen!

Produced by Marty Hill

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