JANNE SCHAFFER – Complete 1970's solo albums

I often mention Jan "Janne" Schaffer on this blog, simply because he's heard on a massive amount of albums by a massive amount of artists. Schaffer was a popular session musician thanks to his versatility, equally at ease with rough and rowdy workouts (see Pop Workshop) and soft and lyrical shadings.

Schaffer's first instrument was the piano, but that changed as soon as he had built his first guitar in school in 1957. He founded 60's band Sleepstones who released a couple of 45's and supported as different international acts as Cliff Richard and Pink Floyd on their visits to Sweden (the Floyd at their legendary performance at Gyllene Cirkeln/The Golden Circle in Stockholm). His studio musician career began with session work for ex-Slam Creepers singer Björn Skifs on his first solo album in 1970, and then he went on to play for just about everybody from ABBA down. Schaffer was often seen and heard in tandem with his buddy Björn J:son Lindh, performing on several of the noted flute player's albums through the years, and Lindh appearing on Schaffer's.

Janne Schaffer (Four Leaf, 1973)
Instrumental

International relevance: ***

Schaffer's first album is as expected an all instrumental effort with lots of melodic soloing with both prog and jazz characteristics. The heavy opening track ”Halkans affär” is classic Schaffer, while the acoustic ”Kulan” is light and delicate. The best track though is ”Titus” (featuring Björn J:son Lindh's flute).

It's a pity that the quirky ”The Chinese” wasn't on the Swedish version of the album – it substituted B.B. King cover ”Did You Ever Love a Woman” when released on Vertigo in the UK, even becoming the title track of the international release. This version gets the nod over the Swedish edition. And the new cover (below) is breathtaking!

All in all, a pleasant album in the light fusion vein.

Janne Schaffers andra LP (Four Leaf, 1974)

Instrumental
International relevance: ***

”Ugglor i mossen” is a nice track, but Schaffer ventured too close to jazz rock and funk fusion with his second album (appropriately enough called ”Second LP” for its international launch). The last track ”Vilda drömmar” is pretty wild but still too fusion infested. (Already the Jukka Tolonen vibe of the cover is suspicious.) His solo debut may have been a bit too calculated, but it still sounded rather spontaneous and fresh. This however sounds as if Schaffer had become more self-confident as a solo artist, knowing he could reach dull perfection and striving for it. 

Katharsis (CBS, 1976)

Instrumental

International relevance: ***

Schaffer's albums grew continuously stiff, getting more and more wrapped up in studio slickness in both sound and performances. Album opener ”Bromma Struttin'” is OK compared to the rest of the album, but ”Katharsis” is really a full on fusion sleeping pill. 

Earmeal (CBS, 1978)
Instrumental

International relevance: **

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, Schaffer went to the States to record with studio zombies Toto. I can't think of anything much worse than Toto in terms of soulless, bloodless and lifeless cold test tube music – I even prefer the antiseptic adult lab rock of Steely Dan. So you can imagine what happens when you bring the increasingly overcompetent Schaffer together with Toto's rhythm section Mike and Jeff Porcaro – you get ”Earmeal”. It's not the meal I ordered but if it's all I get, I prefer to let my ears starve.

Released internationally with a much uglier cover art (below).

Janne Schaffer full album playlist
Janne Schaffers andra LP full album playlist
Katharsis full album playlist
Earmeal full album playlist