Bo Hansson - "Magician's Hat" (1973)

This was Bo Hansson's second solo album, and in Sweden it was released in 1972 as Ur Trollkarlens Hatt. But as I found it here in Montreal, I've got the North American version in the collection, and in the rest of the world it was released one year later. Hansson's solo debut is more famous, Lord of the Rings, but this one is also good.

Magician's Hat is somewhat more accessible than its predecessor, as Hansson has moved a little closer to the musical midfield, although it's still very far from the top of the pops. I appreciate that the gloomy, neurotic mood that rules the Lord of the Rings is not found here. You will not feel uncomfortable and uneasy by listening to Magician's Hat. On the other hand, his first album is more unique, it's hard to find something similar, while the music of his second release is to some extent similar to some other contemporary music, mainly from the progressive and jazz fusion genre.

On a few songs, some choir is heard, otherwise it's instrumental. Of course, there's a lot of organ and synthesizer, as that's Hansson's main instruments, but also flute, guitar and saxophone are given a lot of space. Perhaps a bit more unfocused than its forerunner, but it never floats out in long jams without goal or meaning. Part of this more unfocused atmosphere might be explained by a lots of songs are rather short, which makes the music jump more from point to point. To me it's a fun record to jam along with, with my flute, as the music gives a lot of space for freedom and your own creativity.

So, if you like instrumental, progressive music with some jazz influences, Magician's Hat might be something to look into. It's a somewhat druggy atmosphere and I guess many bongs have been smoked while the record has been spinning on the turntable. Not a simple and instantly accessible album, but I still choose it before Lord of the Rings, since it is a bit less challenging in its form.


Tracklist

Side A
1. "The City" - 7:20
2. "Divided Reality" - 6:17
3. "Elidor" - 1:34
4. "Before the Rain" - 1:31
5. "County" - 1:50
6. "Playing Downhill into the Downs" - 1:39

Side B
1. "Findhorn's Song" - 1:43
2. "Awakening" - 2:43
3. "Wandering Song" - 3:13
4. "The Sun (Parallel or 90 °)" - 7:07
5. "Excursion with Complications" - 3:23

Jayson Lindh - "Cous Cous" (1972)

In Sweden, he is known as Björn J:son Lindh, which is his real name. But internationally, he used the more Anglo-Saxon name Jayson, and since I live in Montreal, it's often the North American releases I find. It's a relatively new purchase. I play flute since a year, and the other week I told my teacher about Jayson Lindh, sure he would know who he was. But of course he didn't, so I sent him a link with some info, and he responded with a youtube link with the song Abdo. Really groovy song, so I was happy when I found Cous Cous a few days later in the local record store, where Abdo is the closing number. A good price too, they actually had two copies of the album, so Jayson Lindh isn't completely obscure here.

This is yet another confirmation that the early 70's was a cool place to be at, as this record spent a number of weeks on the top list in Sweden. Instrumental flute dominated music has a hard time making it to the lists today, People were more open-minded in the 70s. The album is an eclectic mix, some songs bordering to easy listening, almost cheezy songs, that would fit well into a soft porn movie from this decade (according to a friend who has watched such a movie once), but this is swiftly replaced by noisy fusion jazz, and in addition offers a few songs that today would be defined as world music. Middle East influenced tunes, where tablas, lute and congas are heard. It's a clear 70s sound, which we thank the flute for. I think it had its heyday in those years. I would like to see more of it in today's music. Take any song, Oops, I did it again with Britney Spears, and add a flute that grooves with the music and is given a one-minute solo. Voilà, you've got a song that's a killer.

This was Jayson Lindh's third solo album, and on the album, among others. you'll hear Janne Schaffer, a renowned Swedish guitarist. It was released outside Sweden in 1973. A good album that I think you could get, if you happen to stumble upon it. Thanks to its slightly wild mixture it becomes a quite varied experience. The before-mentioned song, Abdo, offers some singing, otherwise it's instrumental. Abdo is probably my favorite song from the album, in which the table creates a nice groove and the "normal" drum set more sets a frame around the music. Here, other musicians are given quite a lot of space, a 10-minute musical around-the-world trip. After having played the flute for a year, I think I'm soon on Jayson Lindh's level, just a little more practice. Then I'll make sure the flute returns to the arenas and into the top lists.


Tracklist

Side A
1 My Machine 4:02
2 Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues 2:56
3 Bobo 5:15
4 El Henna 2:49
5 Kiki 3:45

Side B
1 Elastic Springtime 3:28
2 The Booster Pump 3:19
3 Abdo 10:10