HANS EDLER – Elektron Kukéso (Marilla, 1971)

Swedish vocals, instrumental

International relevance: ***

 

Hans Edler is one colourful character with so many tricks up his sleeve that it's almost easier to say what he's not done than to explain all his actual doings and dealings over the decades. He was practically born into music. His grand dad was a folk fiddler from Jämtland in Sweden and his mother was a music teacher. Hans Edler first band was The Mirrors in the late 50's and early 60's. When the beat craze struck Sweden he turned pop with a couple of bands, including the rather popular We 4. He took a course in electronic composition at EMS (Elektronmusikstudion, ”the studio for electronic music”) in Stockholm 1969. He studied mathematics simultaneously, and soon became a studio assistant at EMS. With full access to the studio's equipment he recorded ”Elektron Kukéso” in 1971, only using computers and electronic utilities.

”Elektron Kukéso” is one of the most visionary albums made in Sweden. Blending psychedelia, pop and electroacoustic music, it creates a peculiar inner landscape with Edler's vocals and melodies infusing the songs with an ephemeral melancholy. It's further out than both The United States of America and Fifty Foot Hose, it's more focused than Silver Apples, it's more bizarre than White Noise, less cheesy than most of what Edler's compatriot Ralph Lundsten did. But comparisons to others fall short. This is a singular album, moving in strange spheres only Hans Edler had access to. His baryton voice channels and opposes the soaring melodies at the same time to a great, tense effect. Some songs are plain captivating, especially ”Jag hör ett skrik” despite the obvious quotes from The Supremes' classic ”You Keep Me Hanging On”. Other tracks are decidedly weirder, like ”Leka med ord” and the instrumentals ”My Third Eye”, ”Miscalculation” and ”Lovedust”, sometimes predating glitch music and EAI (electro acoustic improvisation) with several decades. Everything moves and pulsates like a tidal wave, reaches for new mental continents. Not everything is good, but just about everything is fascinating.

Hans Edler released the album on his own label Marilla which he ran throughout the 70's. He released numerous album ranging from dance band music to children's albums, from accordionists to neo-rockabilly. Edler has worked with television, composed choral music, and been a succesful concert promoter. He's still active, usually performing in retro styled shows. Hes released several albums of his own – he even ventured into disco with his ”Space Vision” album in 1979 – but he never made another album like ”Elektron Kukéso”.

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