English lyrics
International relevance: **
Semi-professional sounding private
release from this Umeå band which existed from 1980 to 1982
and toured with other local bands as well as being support act to
wellknown Luleå band Rekyl. More of a heavy rock outfit somewhere
between early ZZ Top (only better, which isn't too hard to be!) and other somewhat less boogie-inflicted
contemporaries. Despite the year of release, there are surprisingly
few signs of Ma Connection taking cues from the then burgeoning
NWOBHM scene. Progressive moves are prevalent albeit faint; they're much more steeped in the pre-heavy metal hard
rock of the 70s. Although I'm not much of a genre fan (although
not entirely dismissive of it either), I won't deny there's something decidedly appealing
about the curiously titled ”8691”. The performances – eight
tracks in total – are passionate and the playing is tight and
spirited. The vocals are only so-so but they add a down-to-earth blue-collar
gutter vibe to the music which in fact is pretty tasty. The songs aren't bad at all, especially in their field. I find myself tapping my feet and nodding my head to ”Mighty Men Of Power” and the gritty ”You Will Care” which, to top it off rather nicely, sports some Eastern-sounding guitar work. All tracks are originals, and given the high quality of the material, that is in fact pretty impressive. Only album closer ”Aching Heart Disease” is a bit 'meh”, being a rather pedestrian blues (and at almost 7 minutes, overlong).
Only 300 copies were pressed, and on the rare occassions ”8691” comes up for sale, it has a rather hefty pricetag attached to it. I can see why: genre fans must drag their drooling tongues on the ground over this! This one is certainly ripe for a proper reissue. Shadoks, are you listening?
Ma Connection also had a live cassette
out, ”Live At Elvira”, of which I know nothing.
For those who may wonder, the cryptic album title refers to Martini Bianco.
Full album playlist
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