LIFE – Life (Coop, 1982)

Instrumental
International relevance: **

Before you gasp in anticipation: this has nothing to do with Anders Nordh's Life. It's a jazz funk album released on the Coop label best known to proggsters for one LP each by Pondus and Sabu Martinez. Speaking of Martinez: Life drummer Conny Lundström can be heard on his legendary ”Afro Temple” as well as Mellotronen's archival Sabu disc ”The Dalecarlia Recordings”. Keyboardist Pierre Swärd is probably the best known member of the gang though, with a curriculum vitae covering Mikael Ramel, Acke and Soffgruppen and plenty beyond that.

But make no mistake: The Life album is a truly futile effort of stiff furniture store fusion devoid of soul, spirit and driving force. Hadn't it been for the band name, this album would show no traces of life whatsoever. It's so empty that I can't even be angry at it – it's just nothing. Zero, zilch, nada and nought. Even the album cover excels in utter voidness.

Albums like this always make me wonder why they even exist. Why did anyone bother to record this? Who bothers to listen to it? Does anybody actually like it? Isn't there a road somewhere that needs filling?

Sheesh.

Full album

MIXTURE – Mixture (Coop, 1980)

Instrumental, English vocals

International relevance: ***

The Coop label was connected to Björbobandet who released one album together with Sabu Martinez in 1971. The label's main focus was jazz, with Mixture covering the fusion area. This eponymous album is the only one they made. Not essential but surprisingly sparkling for the genre. It doesn't seem as if their main purpose was to demonstrate their overeducated skills but to have fun while playing. It does have its share of boring genre typicalities (including a dreadful funk track, ”Use Your Soul”), but it's not quite as patience killing as other, and better known, examples of the style.

Use Your Soul

PONDUS – Myrornas frammarsch (Coop, 1979)

Instrumental, Swedish vocals 

International relevance: ***

Pondus was a prog and fusion outfit releasing only one album, on the Coop label. Some tracks are overbearing in their contrived complexity. Some people will likely appreciate it for its quirkiness. Best track is ”Flumlåten” with guitarist Ole Bäck revealing distant influences from Kenny Håkansson.

Full album