A SEVEN INCH SPECIAL, VOL. 7: Psych & such

LUCAS – Antisocial Season / Hymn To The Sun (Polar, 1967)
English vocals
International relevance: ***

The 'A' side is a slightly New Orleans tinged piano based track and not very good, but ”Hymn To The Sun” is nothing less than excellent hazy, UK styled psychedelia. The track is a real masterpiece unfairly overlooked even by connoisseurs, and impressively enough an original group composition. Never very expensive, but if people knew just how great it is, the prices would surely go up quickly. Piano player and singer Janne ”Lucas” Persson later joined Pugh Rogefeldt and Ola Magnell on the ”Ett steg till” tour which was documented on a double album in 1975. 

SLEEPSTONES – As The Night Comes To See / I Put A Spell On You (Columbia, 1967)

English vocals
International relevance: **

The Sleepstones were Jan Schaffer's first proper band, going back to as early as 1962. They changed their name several times before settling for the name under which they recorded five singles between 1964 and 1967, with ”As The Night Comes To See” being their last. The 'A' side is a rather elegant, harmony-laiden moody ballad which is quite nice but with a cheesy chorus. The flipside is the old Screamin' Jay Hawkins standard, covered over and over again by uncountable bands over the years, most famously by Creedence Clearwater Revival. The Sleepstones go for an organ heavy arrangement that breathes Swedish folk jazz. A dynamic and driven take with vocalist Ted Åström at his most soulful. Not the best version I've heard, but definitely a very credible perfomance of an international stature.
 

 

ATTRACTIONS – Let Love Come Between Us / 5th February 1968 (Columbia, 1968)

English vocals, instrumental
International relevance: **

It's not quite true that The Sleepstones only made five singles, because The Attractions were basically the same band and released two further 45s in 1968. ”Let Love Come Between Us” is a mediocre sunshine pop track with a steady beat, nothing special. But the 'B' side draws the lines of "I Put A Spell On You" further with a six and a half minutes instrumental workout in a psychy, progressive jazz vein, rich with organ and a proof that Schaffer was a force to be reckoned with already early on. 

CHEERS – Love Me Two Times / Somebody To Love (Decca, 1968)
English vocals
International relevance: **

A Stockholm band that was active a couple of years before they had this 45 out with two Summer of Love covers. ”Love Me Two Times” is a competent but redundant take on The Doors while Jefferson Airplane's ”Somebody To Love” gets an inspired and pretty intense treatment. Both tracks have been comped, ”Somebody To Love” even twice, on ”Who Will Buy These Wonderful Evils, Vol. III” and RPM's excellent survey of Swedish garage rock ”Svenska Shakers”.

MEMBERS BLUES BAND – One Night / P.S. Elic (Jacks Beat, 1968)
English vocals
International relevance: ***

Swedish band on a Danish label. ”One Night” is a completely pointless cover of the Elvis track while the flipside is one of the most fantastic psych tracks ever recorded in Sweden. Perhaps even in the world. Overflowing with backwards sounds and treated vocals, it could have been a highlight on Freak Scene's ”Psychedelic Psoul” album. An absolute masterpiece in perfect tune with the times. Thankfully included on ”Who Will Buy These Wonderful Evils, Vol. III” as originals are incredibly rare, changing hands for up to 500 dollars.

ZOOM – Coloured Rain / Ticket To Ride (RCA Victor, 1968)
English vocals
International relevance: **

When Members Blues Band broke up, two of their members went on to form Zoom. Again they had to approach a neighbouring country to secure a one-single deal, this time Norway. ”Coloured Rain” is the well-known Traffic number, here extended to twice its original length by a decidedly psychy and meritorious organ solo. The Beatles' ”Ticket To Ride” is slowed down to Vanilla Fudge tempo but the rendition is lightweight. 

ARDY THE PAINTER OF LOVE – Pregnant Rainbows For Colourblind Dreamers (Sonet, 1970)
English vocals, spoken word
International relevance: **

This ”painter of love's” real name was Ardy Strüwer and the same guy who made the ”Öronpaj” album in 1973 with actor, comedian and painter Lasse Åberg. Åberg's here too on bells and maracas. The idiotically titled ”Pregnant Rainbows For Colourblind Dreamers” was released in a single-sided edition of only 99 copies for an art exhibition, but has since been revived for the 4CD box set regrettably named after the single. Rare indeed, but also complete rubbish. It's basically an improvised drums and flute duet with Ardy babbling nonsense on top. 

AUNT SALLY – Shakin' All Over / She Left Me (Green Light, 1970)

English vocals

International relevance: **

One of the singles on MNW's early subsidiary Green Light. The cover of Johnny Kidd chestnut ”Shakin' All Over” isn't anything special but the 'B' side, the original composition ”She Left Me” is quite a cool track with psychedelic overtones and a bass line slightly reminiscent of Red Crayola/Krayola's ”Hurricane Fighter Plane”. Not bad at all! Aunt Sally was a band from Lund in the south of Sweden and they had a four track EP ”Slabb” out on another label prior to this.

BJÖRN & BENNY – She's My Kind Of Girl / Inga Theme (Polar, 1970)
English vocals
International relevance: ***

I bet you didn't see this one coming! Yes, it is Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, soon to be mega stars as 50% of ABBA. Let me say that not all Swedes like ABBA, and I'm the living proof of that. I hate their plastic sound, I hate their vocals, I hate (most) of their smarmy crap songs. But this is something else. Well, ”She's My Kind Of Girl” may not be the greatest song ever written, it's a OK in a in a Tages happy-go-lucky style, but once you flip the single over, you get ”Inga Theme”. The two Bs wrote the songs for Joe Sarno's sexploitation movie ”The Seduction of Inga” which in itself is a spectacular fact. But what's more spectacular is that "Inga Theme" it's a great fuzz-laiden track with hypnotic psychedelic qualities! There's absolutely nothing in the entire ABBA clan ouvre sounding like this or being this good. You want hidden gems? You've got it!

CANDLE – In A Vision / Matthew, Little Man (Mallwax, 1971)

English vocals

International relevance: **

”In A Vision” is a light harmony pop track with baroque shadings while ”Matthew, Little Man” loses the baroque-ness. Nice and sweet, not very exciting but nevertheless included on ”Who Will Buy These Wonderful Evils, Vol. III”. Songwriter, singer and guitarist Håkan Bryngelson later became CEO of one of Sweden's biggest real estate companies.

DON CURTIS

Men Of Dakota / Riding (GP, 1970)

Red Indian Brothers / In The Corners (GP, 1971)

English vocals

International relevance: **

Born as Kurt Arne Norman, then changing his surname to Nordlander but performing as Don Curtis since his 7” debut in 1966. He released several singles in the 60s, and his final two in the early 70s, both reflecting his strong passion for Native Americans and their culture. Sometimes dressing up as one, he may seem like a silly Billy, but these two singles are in fact fine examples of a garage rock sound akin to Kim Fowley's best moments. ”Men Of Dakota” is great with an overheated arrangement, but the hard driving ”In The Corners” is possibly even better. ”Riding” unfortunately reveals Curtis's Elvis fixation – he even became an Elvis impersonator later in the 80s. A curious character with an illustrious history.

"Red Indian Brothers" and "In The Corners" were recorded with Scoopes, a band that had one single on their own in 1970. Both Curtis singles were released with several different colour sleeves. Signed copies seem common.

RAUNCHY – Flygmaskinen / Orminge Centrum (Scam, 1974)

Swedish vocals

International relevance: ***

A very obscure band from Stockholm with only this one single in their discography. ”Flygmaskinen” is really lovely, moody, low-key track with flanged vocals creating a hazy, slightly disoriented atmosphere. Maybe a strike of luck, because the 'B' side is just a fast rock song with very little going for it. ”Flygmaskinen” was, thankfully, salvaged from obscurity on ”Who Will Buy These Wonderful Evils, Vol. 6” making it a lot easier to find. 

Members Blues Band full single playlist
Lucas:
Antisocial Season / Hymn To The Sun
Sleepstones:
As The Night Comes To See / I Put A Spell On You
Attractions:
Let Love Come Between Us / 5th February 1968 
Cheers:
Love Me Two Times / Somebody To Love
Zoom:
Coloured Rain / Ticket To Ride 
Ardy The Painter Of Love:
Pregnant Rainbows For Colourblind Dreamers
Aunt Sally:
Shakin' All Over / She Left Me
Björn & Benny:
She's My Kind Of Girl / Inga Theme
Candle:
In A Vision / Matthew, Little Man
Don Curtis:
Men Of Dakota / Riding / Red Indian Brothers / In The Corners
Raunchy:
Flygmaskinen / Orminge Centrum

A SEVEN INCH SPECIAL, VOL. 6: Pop progg

 MIKAEL RAMEL – Förvånansvärt (Knäppupp, EP 1967)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **

Mikael Ramel's first proper solo release is an EP with four tracks released while he was still in Steampacket. His melodic style was already there albeit a little but undeveloped at this early stage. The best song is ”Bara ett par dar”, an acoustic version of a Steampacket track released the same year. A very charming EP but not on the level of his later masterpieces.

 

ROWING GAMBLERS
A World Of Roses / My Very Special Dream (Parlophone, 1969)
A Present For Tonight / Taken For A Ride (Toniton, 1970)
English vocals
International relevance: **

A Stockholm band that already had three singles out before ”A World Of Roses”. They were really a commercial pop band covering Neil Sedaka and a bad Yardbirds song but got a wee bit psychedelic on their last two 45s. ”A World Of Roses” is a Göran Lagerberg composition not released by Tages and a rather good track at that with some nice guitar work. Both tracks on their final outing are Rowing Gamblers originals, and especially ”Taken For A Ride” has obvious psychedelic overtones with a drowsy beat and Paul McCartney styled bass. 

SOMMARFILOSOFERNA – På en sommardag / På en sommarnatt (Mercury, 1970)
Swedish vocals

International relevance: *

”På en sommardag” is a Swedish version of Mungo Jerry's ”In The Summertime”, a song I've tried to escape for my entire life. The slightly jazzy ”På en sommarnatt” is better but still not good. The single is mainly notable for having Björn Töpel and Göran Lagerberg from Tages, along with Björn J:son Lindh. and Jan Bandel on banjo, surprisingly enough. Sommarfilosoferna were a project put together by producer Anders "Henkan" Henriksson.

KENT-MORGANS – Balladen om Kalle / Brother Hood Feeling (Marilla, 1971)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: *

One of the strangest inclusions in the ”The Encyclopedia Of Swedish Progressive Music” as Kent-Morgans were nothing but a typical Swedish dance band in the vein of Sven-Ingvars. Tobias Peterson calls ”Brother Hood Feeling” ”basement psychedelia” but I don't know where he got that from. Bengt Dahlberg's fuzz guitar isn't enough. Dahlberg was later in Acke & Gurra.

TOM ZACHARIAS – Josephine / Roller (Green Light, 1971)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **

This was years before his infamous ”Belinda” album, and there are no traces of the pornographic lyrics of that album here. Instead, this is debile folk pop and decrepit rock. Interesting only because of the Green Light label, MNW's early 70s subsidiary. 

XTRA – Vatten / Kaffepannan (CBS, 1971)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: **

The first of two Xtra 45s, a band best known for their album ”Oh! 10-15” from which the 'A' side was taken. ”Kaffepannan” is the interesting one here as it's a non-album track. It's not essential though, an instrumental sounding like a theme song to an imaginary drama documentary on royal life in the Middle Ages.

HASSE PERMBO
Soliga minnen / Nu piskar regnet (Playback, 1972)
Balladen om Karl Hubert / Satir i moll (Playback, 1973)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: */**

A singer/songwriter of sorts with peculiar lyrics. Something about him reminds of Kjell Höglund but without his talent for exact and well-phrased words. The second single is the better of the two thanks to ”Satir i moll” which is an entirely unexpected heavy track with an strange loop melody contrasting the lighter chorus. 

PERSONS BAND – Miljö-låt / När vi fått det för bra (Euphonic, 1973)
Swedish vocals
International relevance: *

Only recording from this Tranås band on local label Euphonic. The vocal credits are split between the two songwriters Lennart Ljungdahl and Peter Ljungkvist. Both sides are rather poppy with apple-cheeked vocals but with OK guitar playing. Ljungdahl's ”Miljö-låt” is a little better. Both songs have a diluted political message. A privately released CDr of rehearsal recordings from 1973-1974 also exists.

JACONNE – Earth / Polisen (TOR, 1977)
Swedish vocals, English vocals
International relevance:

TOR was a commercial pop and dance band label, and Jaconne falls in the first category. ”Earth” reveals a light Beatles and E.L.O. influence. ”Polisen” has an irritating melody and lyrics against police violence. The odd thing about it all is that the trigger happy guitar player who sounds as if he believes he's in a heavy metal band which he clearly isn't.

Mikael Ramel full EP
Sommarfilosoferna full single playlist
Kent-Morgans full single playlist
Persons Band full single playlist
Rowing Gamblers: 
A World Of Roses 
My Very Special Dream
A Present For Tonig
Taken For A Ride
Tom Zacharias:
Josephine
Roller
Xtra:
Vatten
Kaffepannan
Hasse Permbo:
Soliga minnen
Nu piskar regnet
Balladen om Karl Hubert
Satir i moll
Jaconne:
Earth
Polisten

CYMBELINE – 1965-1971 (Guerssen, 2017)

English vocals, Swedish vocals
International relevance: ***

It happens ever so often that a band who released a good – even great – single severaldecades later instigates archival releases by labels specializing in reissues and archival releases. Sometimes those releases are best left ignored, while others actually unearth something worthwhile. This album offers a bit of both.

Norrköping based duo (sometimes trio) Cymbeline had only one 45 out on MNW's subsidiary Green Light, with ”New York” backed with ”Sixth Image” in 1970. ”New York” is an excellent slice of melodic fuzz-laced proto power pop in English (back when it was still OK to sing in English!) whereas the 'B' side has a dreamier mood akin to transient UK folk/psych/prog of the era.

With Guerssen's overview of a career that never happened dating back to 1965, it's obvious it has some poppier and less successful mid-60's moments. ”Fifth Image” is overall pretty bad while ”Look at the Stars” is sweet enough. ”Imagination” is rather evocative despite being a bit underdeveloped. Cymbeline did have a promising melodic sense already early on although it never reached the heights of highly talented Swedish beat groups such as Tages and Mascots.

There are also a few other later tracks that burden the compilation, like the painfully wimpy ”Mary Anne” and the second version of ”Stolta vingar”, decidedly inferior to the first recording of the song. The Swedish version of Jimi Hendrix's ”The Wind Cries Mary”, ”Vinden viskar Mary”, is a bit on the embarassing side too.

But when it's good, it's really good, and that goes beyond the seven-inch tracks. ”Third Image” (spot a title pattern here?) is unpolished but crunchy freakbeat with an understated chugging beat and howling guitars. ”Motala Ström” comes off like a semi-funky crossbreed of Pugh Rogefeldt and Anders F. Rönnblom. ”Flicka” in turn sounds like something a more psychedelically inclined John Holm could have come up with (although the tucked on jazzy ending is as illogical as it is unnecessary).

”1965-1971” is obviously inconsistent, with said inconsistency further emphasized by the bewildering track order. Members Michael Journath and Anders Weyde might have dreamed of putting out an album for some 40 odd years, but had they been given the opportunity to do so before their breakup soon after their lone 45 was released, it would definitely have been a more cohesive record. But that said, and with the primitive nature of many of the recordings firmly in mind, this is an essential trophy of previously unrecognized talent. The good bits easily make up for the lesser moments here.

Full album playlist (Bandcamp)