The Encyclopedia of Swedish Progressive Music 1967-1979

From Psychedelic Experiments to Political Propaganda

Tobias Petterson


Compilations

ALTERNATIV FESTIVAL -75

ALTERNATIVE FESTIVAL '75

Sweden was host for the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest - the symbol of everything the Movement was against. An alternative festival of non-commercial music was held simultaneously with participants from fourteen countries. The protests culminated in a massive demonstration with over 5 000 participants. Partly due to the impact of the festival, Sweden did not participate in the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest.

1976Alternativ FestivalMNW 58/59P★★★3

ARBETARKAMPEN & AVTALSRÖRELSEN

THE WORKERS' STRUGGLE & THE ROUND OF WAGE NEGOTIATIONS

This album was recorded live in conjunction with Arbetarkonferrensen [Worker's Convention] in Stockholm in February 1974.

1974Arbetarkampen & avtalsrörelsenArbetarkultur AKLP01★★★3

BARA BRUDAR

ONLY BROADS

This album was recorded at Kvinnofestivalen [Women's Festival| in Stockholm in August 1978. The aim was to raise money for a Women's House in Stockholm.

1978Bara brudarSilence SRS 4651★★2

BEFRIELSENS ORD

WORDS OF THE LIBERATION

A collection of worker's songs, written between 1866 and 1918. Röda Lacket is a different group from the one that released an album on the Ljudspår label.

1978Befrielsens ordA-Disc BS780222★1

BLANDAT BAND

MIXED TAPE

A collection of demos submitted to radio programme "Bandet går", including the original version of "Hum hum från Humlegår'n" by Ragnar Borgedahl.

1974Blandat bandTibet-46 BGLP1★★★★4

BYGG ETT EGET MUSIKFORUM

BUILD YOUR OWN MUSIC FORUM

Various groups from Uppsala were recorded live specifically for this double album. Lön För Mödan later changed their name to Störningen, while Hederskompaniet included future Kaipa drummer Ingemar Bergman.

1974Bygg ett eget musikforumUppsala Musikforum UMFL001★★★★4

DET NYJAZZTE FRÅN GÖTEBORG

THE NEW-JAZZED FROM GOTHENBURG

Studio recordings from Gothenburg jazz-rock bands recorded specifically for this album.

1977Det nyjazzte från GöteborgCaprice CAP3006★★2

DIPLOM

DIPLOMA

Various groups from Gävle recorded live on a Revox two-track specifically for this album, which was coordinated by Mora Träsk singer Leif Walter.

1973DiplomProfit PR-7301★★★★4

DOIN' THE OMORALISK SCHLAGERFESTIVAL

This EP contains recordings from Alternativfestivalen in 1975. The significally different original mix of Sillstryparn's classic title track was included on the Alternativ Festival -75 compilation, then credited as Nationalteatern/Nynningen. Sillstryparn was, of course, Nationalteatern's Ulf Dageby. The other two songs were not on the album.

1975Doin' the omoralisk Schlagerfestival (EP)MNW 45S★★★3

EN KÄRLEKSHISTORIA

A LOVE STORY

This is the soundtrack from Roy Andersson's successful movie. The incidental music for the film was written by Björn Isfält (Xtra). Atlantic Ocean is not credited on the sleeve as only the singer on each track is mentioned, in their case Staffan Stenström.

1970En kärlekshistoriaCBS S 64043★★★★4

FESTEN PÅ GÄRDET

THE PARTY ON THE FIELD

This live recording is from the second Gärdet Festival in August 1970, giving aural evidence of the birth of the Movement. Except for Träd, Gräs Och Stenar and NJA-Gruppen, none of these acts had record contracts at the time. This soon changed.

1971Festen på GärdetSilence SRS4603★★★★★★★7

FESTEN PÅ NORDANÅ

THE PARTY AT NORDANÅ

This album documents live performances of local bands from the third Nordanå Festival in Skellefteå. It includes everything from jazz and traditional folk music to progressive rock. Percussionist with folk band Talmesjonga was Lennart Odeltorp, later known as Tage Dirty (Dag Vag).

1977Festen på NordanåSpjället MS4591★★★★★5

FRAMTIDEN ÄR VÅR

THE FUTURE IS OURS

This is the sixth album from the Berfia Södern label with songs about the Vietnam war.

1974Framtiden är vårBefria Södern BS6★★2

FRISTIL

FREESTYLE

Nacksving released this compilation of tracks recorded for the celebration of their two-year anniversary as an independent record label.

1977FristilNacksving 031-9★★2

FRÅN FLYKT TILL KAMP

FROM ESCAPE TO STRUGGLE

This album featured songs about the fight against drugs specifically recorded for this project. The backing band featured members of Nynningen and Nationalteatern.

1978Från flykt till kampNacksving 031-15★★2

GLIMTAR

GLANCES

This double album was recorded live at ABF-Forum in Karlstad in the spring of 1977. The music varies from traditional folk, to straight ahead jazz, to progressive rock.

1977GlimtarA-Disc BS770416A/B★★2

GLIMTAR II

GLANCES II

One more album from the ABF-Forum in Karlstad. The progressive band Mantra, feautured on both volumes, included future session ace Henric Janson on guitar. They went on to record two albums and two singles in the 80's.

1977Glimtar IIA-Disc BS770416C★1

HISTORIEN GÅR IGEN

HISTORY COMES AROUND

This EP contained music from the documentary film "Karlsvik - en by som Gud glömt" about a small Iron Works village outside Luleå. Future playwright Magnus Nilsson was the lead singer of Text & Musik.

1977Historien går igen (EP)Manifest MEP1★★★3

HOPKOK

MISHMASH

This album of mostly progressive rock featured local bands from Gothenburg suburb Partille. Future radio personality Stefan Livh played drums in Måttbandet while Mats Jankell (Impros) went on to direct many music shows on TV. Per Boysen (Varde Ljud) became the editor for guitar magazine Fuzz and Börje Rådesjö (Akropolie) formed Packet.

1975HopkokPartille Musikförening PMF501★★★★★★6

HÄFTIGT MÖTE I STEREO

GROOVY MEETING IN STEREO

This promotional single contains edited samples of previously released records on the Silence label.

1976Häftigt möte i stereo (S)Silence Zing105★★2

HÖR MASKINERNAS SÅNG

HEAR THE SINGING OF THE MACHINES

This album was recorded at communist party KFML(r)'s federation day in 1973.

1973Hör maskinernas sångProletärkultur PROLP273★★★★4

I DITT LIV

IN YOUR LIFE

A collection of previously released tracks from MNW.

1973I ditt livMNW 4M★★★3

JAZZ & ROCK

This album was recorded live at Kulturhuset in Stockholm by the winners of the 1979 scholarships from Rikskonserter. Stetson Cody Group from Umeå included future guitar hero Kee Marcello, at the time still known as Kjell Lövbom.

1979Jazz & rockCaprice CAP3012★★2

JAZZ- OCH ROCKSTIPENDIATER 1976

HOLDERS OF JAZZ AND ROCK SCHOLARSHIPS 1976

This album was recorded live at Kulturhuset in Stockholm in October 1976. Krokus included future trombone star Nils Landgren while Sonant Space drummer Vilgot Hansson joined Samla Mammaz Manna.

1976Jazz- och rockstipendiater 1976Caprice CAP3008★★2

JAZZ FRÅN DET SVENSKA 70-TALET

JAZZ FROM THE SWEDISH 70'S

A cross section of Swedish jazz from the 70's. It includes everything from trad-jazz to jazz-rock and even blues from Peps Persson.

1974Jazz från det svenska 70-taletCaprice CAP2002:1-2★★★★4

JORDLJUS - BEFRIA MARKEN

EARTHLIGHT - FREE THE GROUND

A privately pressed folk album. Mullvadarna were people involved with Mullvadsoperan.

1978Jordljus - befria markenJordljus UOSLP2★★★★4

KRÄV BRYGGERIET KVAR

DEMAND TO RETAIN THE BREWERY

A protest EP against the proposed tearing down of this Stockholm building. Fläsket Brinner's contribution, "Tango", is only found here. The band Envoys also released a record on this matter and the protesters actually won. The building still stands.

1976Kräv Bryggeriet Kvar (EP)Four Leaf FLCEP2001★★★★4

KVINNOKULTURFESTIVALEN

THE WOMEN'S CULTURE FESTIVAL

This album was recorded live at Gamla Riksdagshuset in Stockholm in October 1977 during Kvinnokulturfestivalen.

1977KvinnokulturfestivalenSilence SRS4647★★2

LEVANDE IMPROVISERAD MUSIK

LIVE IMPROVISED MUSIC

Levande Improviserad Musik, or LIM for short, was a Gothenburg record label owned by around 100 local musicians. As expected, the music on this album is mostly wild improvised jazz-rock. The glaring exception is Dom Smutsiga Hundarna, which performs an early version of the title track of their first album. The band Olle Bäver features drummer Ingemar Landén of 60's duo Sound Express.

1975Levande improviserad musikLIM 75-1★★★3

LEVANDE MUSIK

LIVE MUSIC

A collection of local progressive bands recorded in Halmstad.

1977Levande musikCHLP 7701★★★★4

LJUD FRÅN WAXHOLM

SOUNDS FROM WAXHOLM

A collection of previously released tracks from the MNW label.

1970Ljud från WaxholmMNW 14P★★★★4

LÅT ALMARNA LEVA

LET THE ELM TREES LIVE

A protest against the cutting down of elm trees in Kungsträdgården in Stockholm. Envoys also released a single on the subject. The protesters won and the trees are still there.

1971Låt almarna levaMetronome HLP 10.535★★★★4

LÅTAR FRÅN KNUFF

SONGS FROM KNUFF

A collection of songs from the youth-oriented TV show "Knuff", which often presented unknown bands.

1973Låtar från KnuffMNW 1L★★★3

MUSIK FRÅN FRIHAMNEN

MUSIC FROM THE FREE HARBOR

A collection of previously released tracks by artists found on various EMI labels.

1972Musik från FrihamnenColumbia 4E048-34647★★★3

MUSIKNÄTET WAXHOLM 10 ÅR

10 YEARS OF THE WAXHOLM MUSIC NETWORK

This double album celebrated the ten year anniversary of leading Movement label MNW. All tracks were previously released, except for the contribution from punk band KSMB.

1979Musiknätet Waxholm 10 årMNW 100P★★★★4

NACKSVING - ETT SAMLAT GREPP FRÅN GÖTET

HEADLOCK - A COLLECTIVE HOLD FROM GOTHENBURG

The first release by Nacksving, Gothenburg’s leading Movement label.

1975Nacksving - Ett samlat grepp från GötetNacksving 031-01★★★★4

NEJ TILL KÄRNKRAFT

NO TO NUCLEAR POWER

This album was released before the impending Swedish popular vote on nuclear power in March 1980. All songs were specifically recorded for this album. These artists campained for the no-voters. They lost.

1979Nej till kärnkraftMNW/Silence 99P★★2

NORDISKA FOLKESKIVAN

THE NORDIC FOLK ALBUM

This privately pressed album was recorded live at Nordska Folkhögskolan in Kungälv. The recording is rather primitive and half the space is devoted to progressive band Blue Falcon.

1977Nordiska folkeskivanNFLP77★★★★★5

NORRBOTTENSPLATTAN VOLYM 1

THE NORRBOTTEN DISC VOLUME 1

A compilation of bands from Luleå, Piteå and Kalix in the Norrbotten area of Northern Sweden. Except for Norrlåtar's contribution, all tracks are unique to this EP. Contraband later became Euskefeuratand featured famous comedian Ronny Eriksson on vocals.

1978Norrbottensplattan volym 1 (EP)Manifest MEP2★★2

NORRBOTTENSPLATTAN VOLYM 2

THE NORRBOTTEN DISC VOLUME 2

More Norrbotten bands on this EP and all tracks are only found here. Snålblåstgänget featured members of Rekyl, Skottes Musikorkester and musicians on Andreas Aarflot's album. The song "Snålblåst" was written by Tomas Forssell. Pyramid is not the same band that recorded an album on the Sfinx label.

1978Norrbottensplattan volym 2 (EP)Manifest MEP3★★2

NOTERAT

NOTICED

A political album released by Socialdemokraterna's youth federation SSU.

1976NoteratSSU Frihet2★1

NÄ, NU GÄVLAR!

NOW, GÄVLE DEVILS!

A collection of local bands from Gävle and Sandviken. Recorded and released by members of Mora Träsk. Special mention must be made of the progressive instrumental groups Gubbe and Sirban.

1978Nä, nu Gävlar!Mora Träsk MTM5★★★★4

OM IB PÅ GAMLA RIKSDAGSHUSET

ABOUT IB AT THE OLD HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT

This political album was recorded live at Gamla Riksdagshuset in the aftermath of a spy scandal surrounding IB and features both music and spoken word.

1974Om IB på Gamla RiksdagshusetMNW 2L★★2

RAILROAD - BLUES, ROCK & JAZZ

A collection of local bands from Nässjö.

1978Railroad - blues, rock & jazzMFP001★★2

RÖD 1:A MAJ-FEST

RED FIRST OF MAY PARTY

This album was recorded live at Mässhallarna in Älvsjö on May 1st, 1974. A special curiousity for fans of Peps Persson is that Peps Blodsband played 50's rock'n'roll behind Anders Linder (Kapten Zoom). Another notable performance was Hoola Bandoola Band doing their classic "Keops pyramid".

1974Röd 1:a maj-festOktober OSLP504★★★3

SAMLADE KRAFTER

COMBINED FORCES

This album was recorded live at Konserthuset in Stockholm during Easter 1978. The occasion was the 75 year anniversary of VPK youth federation Kommunistisk Ungdom. Mikael Wiehe & Kabaréorkestern performed Chico Lindval's progressive instrumental "Högt till tak", only found on this album.

1978Samlade krafterAvanti AVLP05★★2

SKAP GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY ALBUM

This 4-LP box celebrates the 50th anniversary of music industry organisation SKAP, short for Svenska Kompositörer Av Populärmusik (The Swedish Society of Popular-music Composers, Lyricists and Arrangers). The four discs were subtitled "Swedish Popular Hits", "Swedish Evergreens", "The Progressive-music Movement in Sweden" and "Swedish Jazz". All selections were previously released, except for some straight ahead jazz on the second disc. The box was never officially released, only sent out to the industry in Sweden and abroad.

1976SKAP Golden Anniversary AlbumPhono Suecia PS5-8★★★★★5

SPANIEN 75

SPAIN '75

This album was recorded live in November 1975 at Kulturhuset in Stockholm as a protest against fascism in Spain. The album features both acoustic music and spoken word.

1976Spanien 75YTF-50290★1

STÖD DE STREJKANDE HAMNARBETARNA

SUPPORT THE HARBOUR WORKERS ON STRIKE

This album was recorded live at Marx-Engelshuset in Gothenburg and marked the début of singer Dan Berglund.

1974Stöd de strejkande hamnarbetarnaProletärkultur PR0LP474★★★3

SÅ HÄR ÄR DET

THIS IS THE WAY IT IS

A political album released by Socialdemokraterna's youth federation SSU.

1975Så här är detSSU 001★1

TILL DET KÄMPANDE VIETNAM

FOR THE STRUGGLING VIETNAM

This album followed the two Befria Södern albums about the Vietnam war, previously released by Freedom Singers. All tracks were highly political folksongs recorded specifically for this album.

1971Till det kämpande VietnamBefria Södern BS3★★2

TVÄRSNITT

CROSS SECTION

More rock and jazz from Rikskonserter's Caprice label.

1978TvärsnittCaprice CAP3011★★2

UPP TRÄLAR

RISE WORKERS!

A highly political album of socialist folk songs.

1972Upp trälarOktober OSLP503★★2

VAD GÖR EGENTLIGEN ALGERNA PÅ VINTERN?

WHAT DO THE ALGAE REALLY DO IN THE WINTER?

A collection of Gotland artists recorded live at Musikcafé Borgen in Visby in January 1974. All acts performed acoustic folk, except for political progressive band Tranz. Anders Peedu was the former lead singer of 60's band The Friends, while Di Sma Undar Jordi had a giant hit in 1985 with "Snabbköpskassörsken".

1974Vad gör egentligen algerna på vintern?Scam LPS-L001★★★★4

VI HAR RÄTT TILL JOBB

WE'VE GOT A RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT

A protest against unemployment featuring local bands from Umeå recorded live in October 1978. The A-side featured rock bands, including impressive performances of "Efter elva år i slcolan" by Rikets Affärer and "Spring Lasse Spring" by Steve Roper Band. The B-side features traditional folk music.

1979Vi har rätt till jobbSlå Tillbaka STLP01-79★1

VI KAN LEVA UTAN KÄRNKRAFT

WE CAN LIVE WITHOUT NUCLEAR POWER

The inclusions on this anti-nuclear album was recorded specifically for this project in April 1975. Dansh band Røde Mor's contribution featured Nynningen's Totta Näslund on vocals.

1975Vi kan leva utan kärnkraftSilence SRS4630★★2

VIETNAM KAMBODJA BEFRIADE

VIETNAM CAMBODIA LIBERATED

Fria Proteatern was recorded live in front of 4 000 people in Stockholm on May 3rd 1975 celebrating the end of the Vitenam war. The other contributions were recorded by pupils at the SÄMUS music teacher school in Gothenburg.

1975Vietnam Kambodja befriade (EP)Befria Södern BS7★★★3

VIETNAM ÄR NÄRA

VIETNAM IS NEAR

One more album by the united FNL-groups about the Vietnam war. The music was political folk with "Roten till det onda" by Folkets Musik showing some folk psych moves.

1972Vietnam är näraBefria Södern BS4★★2

VÅRT VAPEN HETER SOLIDARITET

OUR WEAPON IS CALLED SOLIDARITY

This album was recorded on September 27th 1975 at Folkets Hus in Stockholm during the opening of political party Socialdemokraterna's 26th congress. It features both music and spoken word, with lyrics by jazz musician Bernt Rosengren (G.L. Unit).

1975Vårt vapen heter solidaritetSAP 27975★1