Persuaders - Burn b/w Groovin' On the Milky Way

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Burn	03:09

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Groovin' On the Milky Way	03:03

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Information/Write-up

A cornerstone of Quebec’s 1960s soul and funk underground, The Persuaders delivered a fiery fusion of jazz, rhythm & blues, and groove-heavy soul that stood shoulder to shoulder with the best of Detroit and New York. Based in Montreal, the band was fronted by trumpet player, vocalist, and songwriter Denis Lepage, a teenage prodigy who would later gain international fame in the disco era as one half of Lime, and under aliases like The Professor, Le Pouls, and Nini Nobless.

Lepage first cut his teeth leading The Stringers, a jazz-leaning R&B combo, but with The Persuaders, he helped forge a bold, brassy sound rooted in deep funk and soul grooves. The lineup featured Serge Proulx (guitar), André Demontigny (alto sax), Joey Steiner (tenor sax), Robert Alarie (bass), and Andy Shorter (drums), each bringing their own precision and punch to the mix. The group became a fixture at Montreal venues like Club 217, where they not only headlined but backed touring greats such as Stevie Wonder and The Isley Brothers, the latter featuring a then-unknown Jimi Hendrix on guitar. Their live sets were known for their intensity, musicianship, and irresistible rhythmic pull.

The first known recording by the group appeared in 1967 as Dennis Lepage + The Persuaders (Jet 4003) – “Taking Inventory” / “Song for My Father.” Hard-hitting Montreal soul with a jazz edge, the single was recorded in André Perry’s basement studio. This early 45 captures Lepage’s raw R&B foundation in full force.

This was followed by The Persuaders (Jet 4004) – “I Found a Love” / “Don’t Fight It.” Gritty soul covers from a group described by label founder Don Wayne Patterson as “one of the finest R&B ensembles in Quebec during the '60s.” The band’s tight rhythm section and blistering horns translated classic American material into a distinctly Montreal sound.

Their final known Jet release, Dennis Lepage + The Persuaders (Jet 4007) – “With These Hands” / “Out in Left Field,” continued in the same soul-rooted vein. Powerful soul ballads recorded in the same Perry basement sessions, these tracks also appeared on the Lotta Soul EP alongside Lotsa Poppa, who the group backed on his Canadian single for Trans-World Records.

In 1969, The Persuaders issued their most iconic 45: “Burn” b/w “Groovin’ on the Milky Way,” released on Wayne Enterprises and produced by Michel Pagliaro. Both tracks were original compositions by Denis Lepage, pairing driving funk energy with a brassy, confident vocal performance. The single has become a holy grail among funk collectors.

Though no full-length LP ever materialized, the Persuaders’ handful of 45s represent one of the most potent and compelling soul outputs from 1960s Canada. Rumours persist of additional unreleased recordings, possibly lost or shelved as Jet Records wound down. Still, the legacy of Denis Lepage and The Persuaders lives on in these rare sides—testament to a moment when Montreal soul was burning hot and ready to explode.
-Robert Williston

Denis Lepage: trumpet, vocals
Serge Proulx: guitar
André Demontigny: alto saxophone
Joey Steiner: saxophone
Robert Alarie: bass
Andy Shorter: drums

Written by Denis Lepage
Produced by Michel Pagliaro

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