LOTUS – Vera O'Flera (SMA, 1976)

Instrumental, Swedish vocals

International relevance: *** 

Second album from this technically driven outfit, housed in a striking cover. During the two years that passed since their debut they changed their rhythm section, with Lerker Allgulander taking bassist Stefan Berggrenssons place, and Henning Öfverbeck handing over his drum stool to Håkan Nyberg (who later teamed up with Mikael Wiehe). It didn't change things for the better Lotus' debut was a pretty boring effort, but this one is even worse. It's tight and complex enough to get prog rock and fusion fans going, but it bores me to death. It's all about show-off and minutious precision. Their humour extends to an idiotic rock version of Swedish children's song ”Bä bä vita lamm” (the only vocal track on the album). Too bad it's not funny in the least. To make matters worse, the album was reissued on CD in 2004 with two previously unreleased tracks.

Full album playlist

PANDORA – Measures of Time (SMA, 1974)

English vocals

International relevance: *** 

Don't be put off by Pandora being label mates with the criminally boring Lotus, because ”Measures of Time” is beautiful slice of heartfelt semi-symphonic prog with well-rounded melodies and pertinent playing. Pandora sometimes reminds me of Traffic, possibly because of vocalist Peter Hjelm's occasional Steve Winwood moves. There's also a dash of Israeli psychsters Churchills to Pandora's music, which is a different way to say their music is very melodic with distinct late 60's shadings. There's not one bad track among the six on this terrific album. Thanks to a couple of more recent reissues the album is somewhat more obtainable now – originals are very rare and go for a lot of money. 

Full album

LOTUS – Lotus (SMA, 1974)

Instrumental

International relevance: ***

Following the demise of Malmö based Asoka who released a very rare and sought after album in 1971, guitarist Robert Larsson and keyboardist Claes Ericsson went on to form Lotus, abandoning the heavy rock of their former band in favour of an all instrumental straight up progressive sound.

”Lotus” is a less organ oriented album than one would expect, the emphasis being on the guitars which are sometimes heavy, sometimes lyrical and melodic, as in the case of the quirky ”At El-Yago 9-3”, and of album highlight, the Zappa-esque ”Zero”. However, Ericsson gets his chance to show off his skills in ”Ungersk dans”, suggesting Dave Stewart of Arzachel/Egg was a major inspiration of his.

There's no doubt about Lotus being a very tight unit, pulling off every track with an effortless grandeur. But while their collective chops may be alluring to some – quite a few even, judging by a couple of reissues prompted by the price tags usually attached to copies of the original pressing – the cleverness and aptitude soon get boring to anyone not merely into applauding their well rehearsed efficiency. Still ”Lotus” is a far more listenable effort than their second album, the fusion permeated and impossibly overbearing ”Vera O'Flera” released by a different line-up in 1976.

"Lotus" was released on CD with bonus tracks in 2002.

Full album with bonus tracks