In terms of sheer musicality, it's
hard to beat Solar Plexus. Led by married couple Carl-Axel and Monica
Dominique, and featuring Jojje Wadenius and Bo Häggström from
Made In Sweden, they could play anything – and sometimes did. They were
originally named Bäska Droppar, a name they shared with the
traditional Swedish wormwood liqour.
Solar Plexus (Odeon, 1972)
Instrumental, Swedish vocals [Swedish
version] /
Instrumental, English vocals [export version]
International relevance: ***
Funky, jazzy, bluesy, progressive,
folky, avant, silly, serious, dull, exciting – all of it is true at one point or another on the album.
The sheer musicality of it all is the greatest thing about this album. Sometimes they're actually too clever for their own good, but when it works it's certaonly
better than Made In Sweden.
Jojje Wadenius original Swedish vocals
for the album were substituted with English vocals by Tommy Körberg
for an international launch. Körberg made a guest appearance on the
Swedish version of the album, but after re-recording Wadenius's
vocals, Körberg became a full time member of the band. Which version
you prefer is a matter of taste I suppose. Both have their
advantages, but my impression of the export edition is that Körberg
doesn't quite feel at home being only a hired gun.
2 (Odeon, 1973)
Swedish vocals, English vocals,
instrumental
International relevance: ***
Their second album, aptly titled ”2”
and without Jojje Wadenius who had just left Sweden to join Blood
Sweat & Tears. Tommy Körberg in turn was here a fully integrated part of Solar Plexus. You win
some and you lose some; the band won
a powerhouse vocalist but lost some of their curious-minded
experimentation. ”2” isn't as adventurous as their first album focusing more on soul
styled songs to fit Körberg's vocals. I wish they would have gone further out on a limb like
they did on their debut.
Det är inte båten som gungar – det
är havet som rör sig (Harvest, 1974)
Swedish vocals, English vocals,
instrumental
International relevance: ***
The album kicks off with the great,
funky title track, but loses steam after that. Most of the album
lacks real punch; the sound and songs are too polished, and it sounds
like just another day at the jazz rock work.
Hellre gycklare än hycklare (Harvest,
1975)
English vocals, instrumental
International relevance: ***
If the previous album was weak, this is
even lamer. The band goes through the motions and true inspiration is
hard to find. Körberg's vocals sound a bit detached and uninspired,
with a style hinting at his future career in musicals. Great rhyming album title though, especially if think of "better a joker than a hypocrite" as a well deserved quib at the increasingly holier-than-thou factions of the music movement.
Solar Plexus appears on several albums
outside of their regular discography, most notably on ”Progglådan”
that features a radio concert, probably from 1974. (”Progglådan”
compiler
Coste Apetrea cared as much for proper dates and correct
info as he did for liner notes proof reading...) Solar Plexus
provided music to actor Beppe Wolgers's children's album ”Gullivers
resor” in 1971, appears on one track on
Abdo's album ”Salma”,
and provided music to comedy duo Hasse & Tage's live radio
broadcast ”Öppen kanal – eller stängd?” in 1975, released on
LP later the same year.
Although I don't like everything they did, I have the deepest respect for them and particularly the Dominique couple. They had free souls and a huge non-discriminating love for music, which in itself is a grand source for inspiration.
