ARBETE OCH FRITID [AKA: ESSO]

This is my fourth Arbete och fritid review and their first record released in 1970 when they were made up by Ove Karlsson (cello, bass, guitar, organ), Bengt Berger (drums, percussion), Kjell Westling (fiddle, saxophone, flute, guitar, piano), Roland Keijser (saxophone, clarinet, flute, organ) and Torsten Eckerman(trumpet and percussion). This music dwells in a very artistic sophisticated music area which flourished in a Sweden were everybody could play. The musicians are great but the compositions a bit boring. It's a mixture of folk music, art music and jazz and for many people I think this could be heaven. I am not amazed even if I admit this is good music. The first track i perhaps the best: "Damen i svart" (The lady in black) has a weeping cello and a very folky melody going around. In the end we meet great windwork. "Garbergsbrudens dödsmarsch" is a short and great folk song. I have earlier written I would have heard more folky stuff from A&F. The track "Arbete och fritid" seams improvised and is a bit boring beside of heavy rock style. "Mora-Nisses vallåt" is a modern melodical song with great windwork. This is a great track. The title refer to a Swedish skier Mora-Nisse Karlsson. "Esso motor hotel" is perhaps a pleasant track but it doesn't hit me. "Engelska kanalen" do not either turn me on but "Vind" is a nice track with deserving style.

Arbete & Fritid's first record is a good debut. It is better than "Andra lp" but not as interesting as "Se upp för livet" or as good as "Arbete och fritid" (their third record here on PA). But as I have mentioned before, if you are interested in the Swedish "progg" scene, this is an essential band. But not really my style.