SUME/SUMUT DEMOS 13 (-73) GREENLAND - DENMARK

Greenlandic band being one of the first Inuit acts creating and performing a modern rock/prog repertoire rather than passing on the tradition. This was their debute album, made as a protest against the Danish colonization of the island and part of a movement to rediscover the Inuit culture and identity. Recorded and issued in Denmark through the independent left-wing Demos label. Lyrics and sleeve notes are in Eskimo-Aleut language. The fact that all are translated to Danish on cover and label helps understanding a little, but not much. The old woodcut reproduced on front cover, picturing an Eskimo hunter dismembering an intruder, shows on a grave cause. Songs and performance are slightly related to contemporary American or Danish rock, but the expression unique due to language and native idioms. Although the subjects are serious the songs comes out surprisingly pleasant and catchy. The instrumental setting is basic rock with some reinforcement on violin, saxophone and flute from supporting musicians. What really gets me going are the guitars. There's riffs and hooks everywhere as leads or fill outs, electric and acoustic, lifting it from just a good protest LP to an excellent rock album. The recording is simple with an almost garage quality and the audio clear and natural. In all very good listening. Full album here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMlDJF44P9o . The copy shown here is from the only original issue. Most of the cuts can be found on the 1988 CD compilation "Sume 1973-76" (ULO-CD 46). First vinyl had label as shown here and matt fold/out cover with stapled sheets inside, containing band pic, lyrics, credits and additional info. (SCÄ*) (ÖGÄ*) (CCÖ*)