Montreal Gazette, August 2nd, 2001  

   JAZZ  

 * HEILLIG MANOEUVRE  

   Hy-lig Ma-noo-ver  

   Roodle Music  

  Bassist Henry Heillig, one of many Montreal musicians who have  
   moved to Toronto, is best known as a founder and co-leader of the  
   jazz/Latin/funk ensemble Manteca. In this group, he has developed a  
   contemporary jazz sound with a greater variety of tempi and styles,  
   a true delight for the senses and the mind.  
  

   Here are 10 lovely originals featuring fine writing and strong  
   communication among the players. Guitarist Kim Ratcliffe wrote five  
   of the tunes, Heillig four, and keyboardist Bill Brennan one. Howard  
   Gaul is on drums. From the gentle opener, Time Peace, to the  
   tango-based Old Panama, the funky Benefits, or the high-energy Go  
   Train, this is the kind of music for a warm summer afternoon and  
   watching the clouds float by. The dream ends with guitarist  
   Ratcliffe's folky guitar lead in Go Easy on Yourself. Good advice.  

   Rating: **** 

   Irwin Block  

Toronto Star, July 12th 2001  

HEILLIG AIMS FOR EMOTION  

The band is called Heillig Manoeuvre . Its debut CD is hy-lig ma-noo-ver. And once you've got the reference and managed the pronunciation, it's only a short step to the author of this fascinating release on the Roodle Music label.  

That would be talented musician Henry Heillig , best know in these parts as the bassist 
co-founder (with Matt Zimbel) of the ahead-of-its-time electric power band Manteca, which had a serious following from 1980 through 1998, yet began as a salsa band playing in the basement.  

"We were too pop for jazz and jazz for pop", muses Heillig, who came to Toronto from 
Montreal in 1974, after deep immersion in the blues scene. He still works with blues musicians like Chris Whiteley and harmonica ace Carlos del Junco, but his first love is his band which has worked together for almost four years.  

The new 10-track album features four original Heillig tunes, five by guitarist Kim Ratcliffe, one by keyboardist Bill Brennan, and percussionist Howard Gaul on a disc that underscores the group's repertoire and ensemble playing as well as creating expansive moods.  

One-time electric bass thumper Heillig stretches out on string bass, delivering striking melody on "el Nino" and catchy hooks on "Benefits".  

You'll hear some of this material and (half) the band tonight at The Rex, since previous 
commitments mean that Kevin Vienneau will play guitar and Anthony Panacci keyboards. "We wail more in clubs," notes Heillig.  

The bandleader stresses their music is meant to communicate rather than as an intellectual 
exercise. "It's more emotional than intellectual, it's about getting to people. We've taken that 
approach from Manteca, but the quartet format gives us flexibility with no big band boundaries. We learn from each other too-- and as for me, I lead without leading.  

"We're trying to showcase our own writing and as you will hear, we might borrow equally from guitarist John Scofield as Lennon and McCartney. It's also based on more contemporary grooves than traditional swing-oriented music. A melodic player grounded in swing more than bebop, I'm really enjoying string bass now, especially since with electric bass I didn't feel as if I had a voice of my own."  
  

Geoff Chapman  

On the Beat                

 MUSICAL MANOEUVRES:

HEILLIG MANOEUVRE: This local contemporary jazz-oriented quartet have just released a debut self-titled disc. Bassist HENRY HEILLIG and guitarist KIM  RATCLIFFE composed most of the evocative instrumentals, while keyboardist BILL BRENNAN and drummer HOWARD GAUL make valuable contributions. Founder Heillig was formerly in MANTECA, while his group's sound occasionally echoes that of THE HENRYS, with whom Gaul and Ratcliffe have played. Juno-winning producer DANNY GREENSPOON (GREAT BIG SEA) ensures sonic fidelity. Lovely stuff. 

Check out www.heilligman.com for information on the disc. 

 Kerry Doole

CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS  November 29th, 2001

CDs FOR THE ACTIVE MUSIC LISTENER
 

Music fans will also appreciate Hy-lig Ma-noo-ver by Heillig Manoeuvre, a Toronto-based jazz quartet led by bassist Henry Heillig, founder of the popular ‘80s jazz/funk ensemble Manteca.

Heillig Manoeuvre prides itself on playing what it calls “friendly music, a band whose repertoire would be more songbook than doctoral thesis.”

The songs are more contemporary/bluesy than traditional jazz. All 10 songs are written by the various members of the group, which besides Heillig includes guitarist Kim Ratcliffe, who has toured with Holly Cole, keyboard player Bill Brennan, bandleader on CBC radio show Vinyl Café, and drummer Howard Gaul, who has worked with jazz singer Laura Hubert.

All the musicians get together on this CD, but their individual talents are especially noticed on such songs as el Nino and Highly Vancouver. 

To prove the band’s versatility, the CD ends with Ratcliffe’s beautiful folksy guitar playing on Go Easy On Yourself.
 

Joseph Serge, arts editor

“Musically both comforting and challenging. The payoff was a satisfaction not unlike the final glide of a roller coaster ride” 
 Moira Dann, Film maker, currently Editor of  Facts & Arguments, Globe & Mail 

“Joyful, yet serene” 
 Mari Silverstein, Marketing Consultant 

“I was having fun cooking and candlelight dining with it. Then I tried it in the car…it was even better! Jacob dug it too. A seventeen year old and an aging boomster bopping to the Manoeuvre. Now that’s some cool shit!” 
Mitchell Cohen, President, the Daniels Corp. 

"Cool and electrifying, like a mint"  
Marek Warunkiewicz, V.P. Marketing, Feel Good Cars Inc. 

Do you have anything to add? Please feel free to get in touch at: bandmail