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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