While several of the communist-run
labels are held in higher regard by collectors of political progg,
the Swedish Social Democratic Party also established a couple of
imprints to get their message out to the record buying audience. A
Disc in particular released a few memorable albums in the 70's and
80's, but as in the case of for example communist flagship label
Proletärkultur, the message a bit too often got in the way of the
music itself. Here are three releases related to the Social Democratic Party.
ARBETARRÖRELSENS SÅNGER (Pogo
Plattan, 1976)
Featured artists: Per Myrberg / Ulla
Sjöblom / Giovanni Jaconelli / Alf Petersén / Sone Banger and
others
Swedish vocals
International relevance: *
While technically a concept album
rather than a various artists comp, it utilizes a plethora of
musicians, such as domestically well-known singers Per Myrberg and
Ulla Sjöblom against a backdrop of multiple string and wind
instruments. It's an ambitious high budget project, but also
annoyingly self-righteous and rosy-cheeked with a slight touch of
cabaret. Unless you're into that kind of stuff, the album is
virtually unlistenable. The musical progg factor is lacking, but keep
in mind that albums like this too were a part of the progg era and
mentality.
GLIMTAR (UR KULTURPROGRAMMEN VID ABF
FORUM) (A Disc, 1977)
Featured artists: Aldekören /
Carlstad Jazzquintet / Ransäterspöjkera / Kiko del Paraguay /
Johnny Soling / Agö Fyr / Björn Ehrling / Doremikören / Göteborgs
Visgrupp / Bo Harald & Prins Oskar / Ö-barna / Nannie Porres /
Slumpens Skördar / Ingegerd Nordell / Tigris / Buddies (Södra
Roslagens Big Band) / Carlstad Big Band / Barabbas / Pegasus / Dammet
Yr / Mantra
Swedish vocals, English vocals,
instrumentalInternational relevance: *
Another double album, this time with a
selection of performances recorded in conjunction with a forum
meeting in Karlstad 16-19 April, 1977, and arranged by ABF,
Arbetarrörelsens bildningsförbund (the Workers' Educational
Association), founded in 1912 and the biggest educational association
in Sweden today.
The album is a mixed bag of
non-professionals and better known artists such as Göteborgs Visgrupp, Agö Fyr and noted vocalist Nannie Porres. It covers jazz (big bands and
modern jazz and some points in-between), traditional music from
several countries, rock, and funk. In short, it's all over the place
both stylistically and qualitywise. Some of it is plain terrible,
some is decent, jazz band Barabbas' ”Improvisation” is the best.
Without any cohesiveness, ”Glimtar” as a whole doesn't rise above
its snapshot intentions.
A second, single disc volume of
”Glimtar” was released in 1978, featuring some of the artists
appearing on the first volume.
LÅT RÄTTEN FLÖDA FRAM
(Vänster-vind, 1976)
Featured artists: Lena Hellström /
Gunnar Kampe / Lars-Åke Lundberg / Ramon Anthin / Åke Andreasson
Swedish vocalsInternational relevance: *
Socialism and Christianity might seem
as uncomfortable bedfellows, but this album was initiated by
Christian members of the Social Democratic Party. I'm not going to
keep you in the dark: it's every bit as dull as the cover art
suggests. Anyone familiar with standard Xian 70's albums from the US and
the UK pretty much knows what to expect – haughtily performed
semi-folksy singer/songwriter stuff by artists either unknown outside
religious circles or entirely unknown altogether.
Exceptions to this rule can however be found on this album. All of the participants was highly active within their field; the most prolific might be priest Lars-Åke Lundberg who has written plenty of psalms, released multiple albums, published many books, and was awarded with a prestigeous royal medal in 2009.
The best track here
is Åke Andreasson's ”Amos”, but it's nowhere close to being an
excuse for an album that mostly sounds like a third rate Peter, Paul
& Mary or a conspicously untalented Dan Berglund.
Comes with a lyric folder.
NOTERAT (Frihets Förlag, 1976)
Featured artists: Vencemeros / Med Mera / Röda Flammorna / Progressiv / Unga Örnar Stureby / Facklan / unnamed artist
Swedish vocals
International relevance: *
Frihets Förlag only released two full
length albums, both of the various artists compilation, the first one
was ”Så här är det” in 1975, the second was ”Noterat” from
the following year, comprising six outfits (one unnamed) from the
more radical spectrum of the Social Democratic Party's youth
alliance SSU. Two of Vencemeros' four tracks, ”Fransisco Franco”
and ”Ta nu min hand”, are the best in this heap of unimpressive folk pop.
No comments:
Post a Comment