SWEDISH COMP
To celebrate our recent gig with Dungen (who were bloody mindblowing as always) we got our very own Tom Watt to put together a few of his favourite Swedish psych-prog-folk-jazz tracks. Hope you enjoy listening to them as much as we do. There is something about music from this country that we are just in awe of, all of these tracks have provided the soundtrack for long drives to and from gigs, its great stuff.
1 Mikael Ramel- Artificial Prana (Till Dej)
One of Sweden’s best kept secrets; I can’t recommend Mikael Ramel enough! The son of Swedish entertainer/musician/legend Povel Ramel this is a hugely experimental, innovative and witty record. Recorded in Mikael’s basement over about 3 years featuring a wide selection of guest musicians. There is some interesting production on this album, possibly inspired by Zappa/Mothers.
2 Bo Hansson- Flykten Till Vadstället (Sagan Om Ringen)
One of the best known records from this era in Swedish progressive music is Bo Hansson’s interpretation of Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings”. This is the original pressing on silence different art work from the later pressing on Charisma (with title in English). Regardless of its Middle Earth theme, this enchanting album of instrumental tracks is very encapsulating. Certainly one of my personal favourite records.
3 Fläsket Brinner- Bosses Lat (s/t)
Fläsket Brinner (“Burning Flesh”) formed from the ashes of Atlantic Ocean and featured many well known musicians from the seen including Bo Hansson. Their unique jazz-influenced sound features a lot of improvising and a variety of instrumentation.
4 Jason’s Fleece- Confessions (s/t)
This rather plain sleeved record has some great jazzy blues rock on. Apparently J:son Bjorn Lindh and Hawkey Franzen formed this band when they met in jail. It features Jojje Wadenius who also played with Made in Sweden on bass.
5 Kebnekajse – Kommunisera (Resa Mot Okänt Mål)
Named after the tallest mountain in Sweden, Kebnekaise started off with a hard rock style and moved onto a progressive sound with folk and world music influences on later records. A lot of the best musicians from the scene at the time played with them at different points in their line-up-changing career. This is from there first album (“Journey to an Unknown Destination”).
6 Mecki Mark Men- Future on the Road (Running in the Summer Light)
For his second album (Running in the Summer Light) Clas “Mecki” Bodemark recruited Kenny Håkansson, Bella Linnarson and Pelle Ekman from Baby Grandmothers. After this record the rest of the band formed Kebnekaise. Plenty of soulful psychedelic jazz freak-outs here!
7 Gudibrallan- Farbror Sven (Ut I Vår Hage)
Formed by students in ’69, they play raw, punky rock with anarchistic lyrics (I think).
8 Träd, Gräs och Stenar- Sanningens Silverflod (s/t)
True improv rockers Träd, Gräs och Stenar (Trees, Grass and Stones) were also known as Parson Sound and international Harvester in previous line-ups and played some really inspiring mystical jams.
9 Contact- Hom Kom Över Mon (Hom Kom Över Mon)
The stand out track for me from the Hom Kom Över Mon album on the excellent MNW album; this is great rock with Swedish folk influences.
10 Made In Sweden- Winter’s a Bummer (Made in England)
Classic jazz rock at it’s best! This “super group” formed from former members of the Lea Riders Group recorded this album at Colosseum’s studio in England.
Thanks for listening and see you on the 16th.
Wolf People
