Instrumental
International relevance: ***
Often lumped in with the Zeuhl bands, I
still think Kultivator has a lot more to do with the British art rock
style somewhere in-between King Crimson, Henry Cow and even Soft
Machine, than with Magma or later generation Zeuhl act Kōenji
Hyakkei. Kultivator's
sole album ”Barndomens stigar” stands up well to any
international comparisons, with tight and intelligent compositions,
excellently executed with the nothing short of amazing Johan Svärd
on drums and bass player Stefan Carlsson. Kultivator had a connection
with the legendary Ur Kaos as keyboard player Johan Hedrén were in
both bands for a while. Together they formed the core of the highly
active art rock scene in Linköping, a city otherwise best known for
its university and the vanguard hospital. With Lars ”Lach'n”
Jonsson, highly talented musician and owner of the Bauta Records
label, the scene had an obvious centre. Bauta Records is still
active, providing the world with top notch Swedish progressive rock
with a striking arty edge.
The
album has been released on CD twice. The first time around, two
tracks were added to the original running order. ”Häxdans”
connects well with the title track taking good use of baroque
influences. ”Tunnelbanan” is a medley recorded live in their
native Linköping two years prior to the release of the original
album. Although not as focused as the remainder of the album, the
track nevertheless shows they were on to something already in the
70's.
Some
years ago, Mellotronen released a further enhanced version of the
album, including not only a live version of album track ”Novarest”,
but a bonus EP entitled ”Waiting Paths”, comprising four songs
recorded by the re-united band in 2006.
Full album playlist including bonus tracks
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