HÄXMJÖLK – Eskimo Heat (Metronome, 1976)

Instrumental

International relevance: ***

Centered around guitarist Jan Tolf (who wrote all songs for ”Eskimo Heat”) and keyboardist Harald Svensson, this could be seen as an Egba off-shoot and a continuation of Resa. Also featuring drummer Malando Gassama, saxophonist Lennart Åberg, and bassist Guy Roellinger who appeared on Melvyn Price's ”Rhythm and Blues” in 1974. Häxmjölk's style is obvious already on beforehand: funk fusion with tight arrangements that will appeal to fans of the aforementioned bands, Kornet and Mamba but much too formulaic for me.

Full album playlist

RESA – Cozy Square (Sonet, 1975) / Lycklig mardröm (Caprice, 1980)

International relevance: ***/**

Instrumental

Resa (not to be confused with Resan) was a fusion band with members from Egba, Häxmjölk and Eje Thelin Group. Their first album ”Cozy Square” was released in 1975 and is more reflective and not at all as egomanical than many other fusionists. The title track a bit similar to Made In Sweden while keyboard player Harald Svensson adds a tiny Bo Hansson touch to ”Dalecarlian Samba”. Overall a nice and enjoyable effort.

Resa's second album didn't appear until five years later on the Caprice imprint. It has a lacklustre studio sound and just doesn't sound as inspired as ”Cozy Square”. ”Cozy Square” had a pensive playfulness that ”Lycklig mardröm” doesn't have. Lovely cover art and liner notes by Turid Lundqvist (!).

from Cozy Square

"The Seventh Seal"

"The Jam"

from ”Lycklig mardröm”

Jacinta