MIKAEL RAMEL – Complete albums 1974-1982

 Extra vagansa (Ljudspår, 1974)
Swedish vocals, instrumental

International relevance: ***

 

With ”Till dej” occupying slot #5 on my Top 25 list, it should be obvious I have a special place in my heart for Mikael Ramel's music. Then again, it's hard to top an album like that, or even make another album on the very same level. But fear not, ”Extra vagansa” is a brilliant effort! Several tracks would have fit perfectly on the debut – ”Flödet”, ”Så länge're svänger” and the title track rival the best parts of ”Till dej”. This is a meticulously crafted album, but never as meticulous it loses swing and emotion. With ”Till dej,” Mikael Ramel promised to be one of the greatest Swedish artists of the 70's, and with ”Extra vagansa” he fulfills the promise.

3:e skivan (YTF, 1977)
Swedish vocals, instrumental

International relevance: ***

 

And he wasn't kidding the second time either. ”3:e skivan” may be less exuberant and more reflective than ”Till dej” and ”Extra vagansa” but beneath the surface, it's just as thorough and playful. ”Gurus att anamma” is an untranslatable word play referring to the lyrics' questioning of religious (and for that matter, political) leaders. A tribute to the power of independent thinking. ”Strax dax” is beautifully decorated by an ”Eleanor Rigby” inspired string quartet providing further melancholy to an already wonderful track. And so on. ”3:e skivan” may not be as immediate as Ramel's earlier albums; it's more of a slow burner that wins in the end. Three strikes in a row!

Rycker dej i svansen (Sonet, 1979)

as Mikael Ramels Musikband
Swedish vocals

International relevance: ***

 

With the initial trilogy getting most of the attention, ”Rycker dej i svansen” has become unjustly overlooked. It has a different sound than its predecessors, and perhaps some people are scared off by the rhythmic sensibilities of the album, with loans from funk, reggae and Latin. But what a sorry shame if things like that get between the listener and the music because this is a lovely album, as essential as Ramel's previous three. ”Förpackningar” is one of the best songs he's ever written. And Bosse Skoglund is as masterful with the syncopation as always. And Kenny Håkansson's here too. In short: another dazzling disc from Mikael Ramel.

Strömavbrott (Sonet, 1982)

as Harru Lust med Mikael Ramel
Swedish vocals

International relevance: **

 

A single with a Swedish version of Johnny Clarke's masterpiece "Roots Natty Congo", intended as a poke at everybody that jumped the reggae bandwagon in the early 80s but still being a highlight track in Ramel's ouvre as "Patriotidioten" held a lot of promise for him and his new band Harru Lust. The following album was however problematic. The translation of Chuck Berry's ”No Particular Place to Go”, ”Små partiklar i min Pernod” is witty but the album in general is surprisingly lacklustre. The songs aren't quite as sharp as before but the two biggest problems are that a) backing band Harru Lust sounds stiff and b) that the dull production makes Harru Lust sound even stiffer. ”Strömavbrott” is a victim to the era, with too loud bass and drums in a typical early 80's fashion. I'm not the one to call out for remixes and other fiddling with once finished albums, but this one sure could use a careful overhaul.

Extra vagansa full album playlist with bonus tracks
3:e skivan full album playlist with bonus tracks
Rycker dej i svansen full album playlist
Strömavbrott full album playlist
"Patriotidioten" + "Bättre och bättre"