måndag 29 september 2014

MADE IN SWEDEN (with love) SLP-71 (-68) SWEDEN

Prog trio evolving out of r&b/psych/garage band "Lea Riders Group", existing 1963-68. This was the first of six albums under the new name carrying a jazzier style. Back then considered a landmark, domestically highly praised and rewarded. Today the performance itself doesn't sound very revolutionary, especially when compared with more renowned UK or US acts appearing somewhat later. To me the magic lies on another altitude. Even if the attempt can be described as progressive with emphasis on jazz and far from LRG it has a remaining r&b garage quality I find very appealing. It seems most cuts are jam sessions built around fixed themes, playfully performed almost as rehersals. There's not much trace of producing. You get the impression of three guys sitting comfortably and doing fair play together, not embellished in any way. Later on the band would use elaborate studio work resulting in a more "common" prog sound. Here it's still day one - primitive and direct. It's clearly a transition album and though the backing sometimes can't decide if they're playing jazz or r&b, Georg "Jojje" Wadenius' guitar keeps it together - not absolute world class yet, but a token of what to come. Audio is 100% natural with lots of presence. Originally only released in Sweden. 1993 CD came with same tracking (Sonet SLPCD 71). First press had label as shown here and fully laminated cover. (SCÄ*) (ÖGÄ*) (CCÖ*)(SÖNÄ*)

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