Rena Rama were founded in 1971 by
drummer Bengt Berger, bassist Palle Danielsson and pianist Bobo
Stenson. Soon after, trumpeter Lennart Åberg joined. The newly
formed band did a session for Swedish television, and toured in
Germany in 1972. The following year they received Rikskonserter's
yearly Jazz i Sverige (”jazz in Sweden”) award, and as a result
they released their first album ”Jazz i Sverige '73”. Rena Rama
was influenced by Indian and African music and their initial music
may be described as a kind of 'world jazz'.
Jazz i Sverige '73 (Caprice, 1973)
Instrumental
International relevance: **
Everything is right about ”Jazz i
Sverige '73”, the intentions, the musicians, their skills, their
outlook on music, but somehow the album just don't take off. It
sounds like a collection of great ideas they never manage to quite
set into motion. The music often sounds forced, as if Rena Rama try
hard to push it forward to where they want it, to a point where it
takes on a life of its own, but it never really happens. ”Jazz i
Sverige '73” is a rare example of a Bengt Berger driven album that
doesn't fulfill its potential.
Landscapes (Japo, 1977)
Instrumental
International relevance: **
In 1975, Bengt Berger left the band and
was replaced by American born drummer Leroy Lowe who had played with
trombonist Eje Thelin prior to Rena Rama. He has a lighter touch on
”Landscapes” than Berger had on ”Jazz i Sverige '73” which
makes for a smoother running albeit less 'ethnic' sounding music
where Palle Danielsson in particular seems to be more at ease – his
elevated ”Rumanian Folk Song” is the best moment on here.
”Landscapes” reaches further than Rena Rama's debut but still
isn't quite there.
Inside-Outside (Caprice, 1979)
Instrumental
International relevance: **
In 1979 Rena Rama was back with Caprice for an album that moves between the obvious traditional influences of the first album and the more straight ahead jazz of ”Landscapes”. It's all well played but not too inspiring.
Rena Rama existed for a long time still
with a couple of line-up changes, and released a few more albums. A
1975 live recording with Leroy Lowe on drums was released in 1983,
simply entitled ”Live”.
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