Von Zamla - Zamlaranamma (Sweden 1982) [AvantProg] @320

After the dissolution of Samla Mammas Manna (as Zamla Mammaz Manna), master musicians Haapala y Hollmer decided to renew their partnership with this project Von Zamla, together with other two musicians from Albert Marcoeur's band. The result: a musical offering whose main bet was on multicolored melodic motifs, extravagant tratments, heavily relying on dissonant chord progressions and pretty recurrently sustained on counterpoints regarding the arrangements. Zamlaranamma is the first recorded manifestation of this result. Von Zamla's music is deeply challenging while not being particularly aggressive - their compositions and style bear the heritage of ZMM but with a more light-weight attitude toward the interactions between all musicians. The absence of a drummer, or more precisely, a specialized percussive section, allows the ensamble to focus more enthusiastically on the amalgamation of keyboards, guitars and woodwinds, although the rhythmic basis still plays a solid role at ordaining the aforesaid amalgamation.

1. Harujänta (7:49) 
2. Rainbox (3:14) 
3. Doppler (4:34) 
4. Clandestine (5:48) 
5. Temporal you are (4:32) 
6. Original 13 II (4:46) 
7. Ten tango (5:40) 
8. Antsong (5:11) 
9. Tail of antsong (2:05)

Lars Hollmer / keyboards, accordion, percussion, glockenspiel, lead vocals
Denis Brely / bassoon, oboe, voice, baryton sax, Soprano flute 
Jan Garret / bass, bass pedals, guitar, percussion, vocals 
Eino Haapala / guitar, bass, cello, mandoline, percussion, vocals 

Ensemble Nimbus - Key Figures (Sweden 1994) [ProgRock] @320

ENSEMBLE NIMBUS "Key Figures" are the third release from the excellent Swedish Ad Perpetuam Memoriam label (APM). They are mixing 70's influenced Zeuhl and RIO and obviously there's reminiscences to SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA, UNIVERS ZERO and VON ZAMLA. The interesting line-up includes among others Håkan Almkvist who's responsible for the compositions and the SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA drummer Hasse Bruniusson on Electric Batterie. APM is responsible for many interesting releases and this isn't an exception. Recommended!

Greger - Prog Archives

1. Slaget (The Battle) (5:04) 

2. Formaningen (The Exhortation) (4:48) 

3. Rabalder (The Commotion) (5:20)

4. Änglamakerskan (The Baby-farmer) (5:56) 

5. Skrapan (The Schramscraper) (3:29) 

6. Bo i Bingen (Lazy bones) (5:52)

7. Hönsper (The Eccentric Farmer) (3:44) 

8. Motvalskärring (Against the Stream) (4:17) 

9. Uti Svängen (Shake a Leg) (4:17)

10. Nyckelfiguren (The Key Figure) (3:26) 

11. Ekivoka Vänningar (Indecent turnings) (8:25)

Hakan Almkvist / guitar, bass, voice on "Commotion" 

Lars erik Björk / clarinet, bass-clarinet 

Hasse Bruniusson / electric batterie 

Stefan Karlsson / keyboard 

Kirk Chilton / violin

Lars Hollmer - Tonöga (Sweden 1985) [AvantProg] @320

For 1985's Tonöga, Lars Hollmer brought a few friends into the Chickenhouse to help out here and there -- notably Zamlas guitarist Eino Haapala and drummer Hans Bruniusson, as well as trumpeter Kalle Eriksson and soprano saxophonist Ulf Wallander. The musical palette is even wider and deeper than the preceding Från Natt Idag, ranging from the full-on Zamla prog of "Slutet Pa Tangon" (sounding like a Familjesprickor outtake) to the gentle lullaby of "Höstvisa," the tick-tocking percussion experiment of "Klipp en Apa," and the nearly funky worldbeat of "Karlafrique."
Elsewhere, meters and harmonics are particularly adventurous in "Lilla Pas du Valse" and the title track, "Damernas Rumango" is a fairly straightforward prog tango, and "Arvevals" is an accordion waltz accented by a spectral flutelike melody. As the ever-changing program wraps up with "Simflageldans," a tune as engaging as anything dreamed up by Simon Jeffes at the Penguin Cafe, and the dramatic "Harmonium III," with an emphatic march-like cadence and dramatic crescendo, one could only guess what Hollmer might dream up next, and it turned out to be a leap into bandleading with the Looping Home Orchestra's 1987 release, Vendeltid. [Several selections from Tonöga were later included in the 1993 single-CD Hollmer comp entitled Lars Hollmer 80-88 (later re-released as The Siberian Circus), and in 1998 Resource Records included the entire album in the very worthwhile two-CD set Tonöga/Från Natt Idag/Vendeltid. Among the bonus tracks on this set is a hyper live version of "Lilla Pas du Valse," retitled "Alfa Beta Pas du Valse" and somewhat mysteriously presented as a bonus track to Vendeltid rather than Tonöga.
-Dave Lynch (All Music Guide)-

Another amazig solo album by Lars Hollmer of Samla Mammas Manna. The album features a lot of styles and emotions, all delivered with unique Lars Hollmer style. I would say the first part of the album is more experimental (Onk Kch Onk Kch being the example), the second part contains more melodical and traditional music which is a mixture of folk, prog, RIO, jazz, tango and God knows what else. There is a lot of accordion all over the album, my favorite tracks are Lilla Pas du Valse & Harmonium III, but the rest is also very solid. Having heard only 2 Hollmer solo albums (this and Vendeltid) I must admit that Vendeltid is a little bit omore consistent than Tonöga. 3.5 stars really but I like it very much so I give it 4.
-Yurkspb2 (Prog Archives)-


01. Onk Kch Onk Kch (3:44)
02. Slutet På Tangqn (3:25)
03. Höstvisa (Autumn Song) (3:28)
04. Klipp en Apa (2:53)
05. Karlafrigue (3:55)
06. Lilla Pas du Valse (2:26)
07. Tonöga (3:02)
08. Damernas Rumango (3:25)
09. Arvevals (2:42)
10. Skiss M. Brest O Segosero (1:48)
11. Annu Ingen Pelle (1:56)
12. Rindatröst (3:52)
13. Simfågeldans (3:44)
14. Harmonium III (5:27)
15. Originalexperiment (Bonus) (1:19)

Lars Hollmer: accordion, keyboards, vocals
Guest musicians:
Alva Strand Hollmer: vocals
Eino Haapala: guitar, mandolin
Gabriel Strand Hollm: vocals
Hasse Bruniusson: drums
Kalle Eriksson: trumpet, congas
Mattias Jonsson: vocals
Ulf Wallander: soprano saxophone

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Lars Hollmer - Andetag (Sweden 1997) [AvantProg] @320K

All the depth, beauty, charm, and wonder of Lars Hollmer's music can be found in 1997's Andetag, recipient of a well-deserved award from the Swedish equivalent of the Grammys. Although one can hear many musical elements throughout the CD, it is a disservice to Hollmer to describe him merely as a synthesist of diverse genres and styles into some form of pastiche. His compositional sense is too strong for that, matched by his ability to tug at the emotions with the dramatic buildup, the warm textures, and of course the lovely melodies.
Listeners unacquainted with the Swedish composer/ keyboardist might conceivably be put off by the initial moments of the first track, "Stråk", with its dirgelike tempo and orchestral keyboard overlays, which, if dragged out too long, could indeed have been quite a dose of prog-minded heaviosity. But even here, the touches of accordion, bells, and violin leaven any tendencies toward majestic overload and, like so much of Hollmer's music, impart a light touch. And this is merely an opening vignette for a long and varied journey, ranging from the floating multi-tracked vocal piece "Kvar Om Igen", with an intimate flavor and melody reminiscent of Robert Wyatt (on a tune like Shleep's "Maryan", for example) and "Asianet" (which, as you might guess from the title, melds Hollmer's keyboard drone, pulsing accordion, and a clip-clopping rhythm to a strong Asian folk-flavored melody — perhaps foreshadowing his future work with SOLA in Japan) to "Cirkus I," sort of a demented speedy fanfare-polka on steroids.
Yet the longer multi-sectioned pieces that smoothly shift gears following their initial thematic statements into new areas of melody, harmony, and rhythm are the true standouts, and make the case that Hollmer should be considered a composer in the league of Piazzolla (or at least what might've happened if the Argentinean tango master had somehow wandered into Univers Zero's Ceux du Dehors session at Etienne Conod's studio in Switzerland and begun ordering the group to lighten up just a tad).
There is a compositional integrity to pieces like "Now", "Aska", and the moody closing "Videpiano", with the listener brought to unexpected yet somehow familiar territory. And to top it all off, there are those melodies that nag at the memory — you've heard them before, but where? Certainly never in music quite like this, with the drive of rock and the evocativeness of European folk, along with a seasoning of classical music's sophistication (but not its seriousness).
Andetag is somewhat less quirky than some of Hollmer's previous solo works — there is a richly consistent sound throughout the album (which includes instrumental contributions from bassist Wolfgang Salomon, violinist Santiago Jimenez, Samlas drummer Hans Bruniusson, and UZ/Von Zamla bassoonist/oboist Michel Berkmanns) and the whimsy is kept in check, and it doesn't sound as if he reached for the closest kitchen implement within reach to use as a percussive device.
One might argue, then, that Andetag is somewhat less "fun" than Tonöga, for example, but this also represents what Hollmer can achieve when his vision is at its most cohesive: music that is truly unified from start to finish despite 16 individual pieces (from one to no longer than seven minutes in length) and the composer's globetrotting sense of genre and style. With the typically paradoxical mix of power and understatement, Andetag is pure Lars Hollmer, and an indispensable part of his catalog.
-by Dave Lynch-


01. Stråk
02. Kvar Om Igen
03. Now
04. Asianet
05. Tot Brass
06. Cirkus I
07. Cirkus II
08. Försök
09. Flyg O Forget
10. Aska
11. Nya Tag
12. Zwei Kneipe
13. Ovnuserg I+II
14. Samma Dag
15. Teknoloo
16. Videpiano

Lars Hollmer: Arcordion,Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals
Wolfgang Salomon: Bass, Bass Kalimba, Cymbal
Santiago Jiminez: Violin
Hans Bruniusson: Drums
Michel Berkmanns: Oboe
Alba and Rinda Strand Hollmer: Choir

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Pokerface - Transeo (Sweden 2011) [Avant-Prog] {Free Group Promotion}

FREE GROUP PROMOTION

Pokerface was formed in 1996 by Stefan Heidevik and Michael Horvath as an experimental hip-hop-outfit. Heidevik drew upon his multitude of influences to create odd sounding soundscapes to which Horvath contributed vocals. The duo released a demo in -97 and shortly after, Horvath left to work on other projects. Heidevik continued producing material and in -99 he released the EP "Bedtimestories" in January and the album "Bedtimestories of weird science" in December. The album expanded on the material of the EP and gave hints of Heideviks chaotic and atonal signature-sound, which would dominate later releases.

The latest album, "Transeo", features both studio material as well as live-recordings and the music merges elements of electronica, jazz-fusion and progressive rock. Transeo features guest-perfomances from jazz guitarist Bryan Baker (Steps Ahead, Yellow Jackets) and free jazz trumpet player Mike Lloyd (Freddie Wadling) amongst many others. The album was met by positive reviews from the press with one reviewer stating: "Achieving this type of experimental and truly progressive music requires courage and vision and it seems that Pokerface have both ingredients in abundance".
(Patrik Stigsson - Kulturbloggen.com)

Heidevik is currently working on new material that feature further collaborations with Baker as well as drummer Morgan Ågren (Mats/Morgan Band, Zappas Universe, Fredrik Thordendahl [of Meshuggah]).


01. Hypocrites 5:06
02. Krtek Ve Snu 5:02
03. Buildings featuring Mike Lloyd 6:30
04. Beginnings and Endings 7:18
05. Quicksand-Concrete - Live 4:17
06. Like Love - Live 4:36
07. Miss You - Live 4:14
08. Really Real Reality featuring Michael Horvath - Live 3:37
09. For Those Who Have Fallen - Live 3:56
10. Spider featuring Bryan Baker 6:26


Stefan Heidevik - Synthesizer, programming, glockenspiel, percussion, vox, production
Additional musicians:
Olle Prim - Drums
Mattis Karlsson - Guitar
Per Eriksson - Saxophone, clarinet
Bryan Baker - Guitar
Anna Sahlin - Cello
Karin Svensson Nordberg - Violin
Mike Lloyd - Trumpet
Michael Horvath - Vox

Mastering:
Tracks 1-9 Andreas Karlsson - Studio Nonolith.
Track 10 Stefan Heidevik - Red Room

Co-producer:
Andreas Karlsson - Studio Nonolith

Soundengineers:
Stefan Heidevik and Andreas Karlsson tracks 1-10
Pontus Olofsson - Live audio - tracks 5-9
Gustav Brandén - Recording - tracks 5-9

Coverdesign:
Tobias Solem

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Samla Mammas Manna - Kaka (1999 Sweden) [AvantProg] @320

SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA was formed in Uppsala, Sweden in 1969. The last offspring of SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA, VON ZAMLA, did their last album "No Make Up!" in 1984, so it has gone 15 years since then. Now the long awaited reunion on album for SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA is finally here. VON ZAMLA however had little to do with the band you can hear on this album. The line-up on this album made their last album "Snorungarnas symfoni" in 1976, so actually it's 23 years since they did an album together. Therefore you can understand that it is with great pleasure and high expectations I started listen to this album.
If you liked SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA back then I promise you that you won't be disappointed. It is with satisfaction I notice that not much has happened with their music over the years. The playfulness, the craziness, the humour, the experimentation's and the improvisations is ever present and it sounds just like it did back then. This is said in a positive way. I don't think that anyone would've wanted SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA to take on another direction in their music. The only thing that has changed is that they're even better musicians today and that the sound on the production has improved since the 70's. 
If you haven't had the joy of hearing SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA before I can tell you that their music is a blend of mostly instrumental 70's progressive rock, jazz-fusion, avant-garde, RIO (Rock In Opposition) and World Music.
I had the opportunity to have a long discussion once with the drummer Hans Bruniusson. He talked a lot about musicians he admired and recommended me to listen to bands and musicians such as ART BEARS, Chris CUTLER, ETRON FOU, UNIVERS ZERO, Albert MARCOEUR and Fred FRITH. I think that much of their music is also reflected in SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA's music.
The material on this album is a mix of live recordings ranging from 1993-98 and new recordings done in Lars Hollmer's legendary studio "The Chickenhouse". The cover artwork "Ha Kakan Kvar" is made by Tage Åsén who also did the art work for SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA's albums "Måltid" (1973), "Klossa Knapitatet" (1974) and "Schlagerns mystik" (1978). This is without doubt one of the best albums in 1999. If you're a fan of SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA you won't have to think twice: buy this album immediately. If you haven't heard them before this album is a perfect starter. Highly recommended!
-Greger (Prog Archives)-

01 - Stämma Lite (0:29)
02 - Lyckliga Titanic (5:12)
03 - Oh Sa Masalana Jämfört Med Ålman River (2:03)
04 - Första Ikarien (6:39)
05 - Reptilgarna (2:16)
06 - Satori (3:28)
07 - Vegetariskt Impro,Svar Direkt (2:38)
08 - Frestelsens Café (8:14)
09 - Tung Krupa Tejpraga Tra La La (2:36)
10 - Andra Ikarien (3:33)
11 - Även Oss Får Tiden Åldras Spasmodskij Engelbert Humperdinck'Blues (5:12)
12 - Hatman (2:28)
13 - Tredje Ikarien (5:30)
14 - OQ ( 0:19)

Coste Apetrea: guitar, bouzouki, veena, voice
Hasse Bruniusson: drums, percussion, marimba, voice
Lars Hollmer: keyboards, accordion, melodica, voice
Lars Krantz: bass, voice 
 

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Zamla Mammaz Manna - Famijlesprickor (Sweden 1980) [AvantProg] @320

This album has grown on me a lot - and I liked it to begin with. After seeing their ProgDay performance, coupled with hearing this album and Kaka, S/Zamla has quickly become one of my favorite bands. They take a joyous, high-energy approach to some fairly complex, very proggy music, and add in a great sense of humor to boot.

The opening track, "Five Single Combats", is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Dominique nailed it with the "cartoon on speed" description. However I've got to take exception to his description of "Ventilation Calculation" as verging on banality - the section of that song where they blow across bottle mouths to generate the melody is one of the coolest things I've ever heard. "Papa (with right of veto)" throws some twisted reggae into the mix, and "The Thrall" mixes avant-sounding vocal noises with sparse, improvised instrumentation. There are sections of "The Farmhand" which sound somewhat like Magma. This album has a bit of everything.

The keyboard work is fantastic throughout, the guitarist plays plenty of tasty leads and the rhythm section are certainly no slouches either. I'd recommend this CD to nearly all prog fans, unless you're put off by mostly instrumental music or hate avant prog enough to let the occasional bits here and there stop you. Those who cringed at the "cartoon" description might not enjoy the band's sense of humor. But I have a hard time imagining anyone who couldn't find something to like about this disc.
-Bob Eichler-


01. Five single combats 05.52
02. Ventilation calculation 05.05
03. The forge 05.04
04. The thrall 05.05
05. The panting short story 03.52
06. Pappa (with the right of veto) 04.27
07. The farmhand 07.33
08. Kernel in short and long castling 05.40 


Lars Hollmer: keyboards, accordion, vocals
Eino Haapala: guitar, vocals
Lars Krantz: bass, vocals
Vilgot Hansson: drums, percussion
Hans Bruniusson: drums, percussion

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Lars Hollmer - Vandelmässa (Sweden 1993) [AvantProg] @320

Lars Hollmer is the keyboards player and accordionist of SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA, a musical legend who once was, during the Seventies, the swedish representative of the Rock In Opposition movement. He was also involved with various bands, RAMLOSA KVALLAR, VON ZAMLA or THE LOOPING ORCHESTRA amongst others, without forgetting his own solo career. His works mix folk music, Progressive rock and new musics. His music is full of joy and freshness, blending simplicity and research. Published on the defunct AYAA label, "Vandelmassa" is now reissued on the Gazul label. This is a collection of songs composed between 1972 and 1993, revisiting all the stylistical eras he experienced. An ideal introduction to the particular universe of Lars HOLLMER. To be discovered !

01. Träumeri (4:20)
02. Va pappa sa (0:50)
03. Växeltango (6:01)
04. Gåvan (3:23)
05. Sväng (2:19)
06. Gospel F.A.T. Jesus (3:22)
07. Tittut (0:21)
08. Dä ögon (2:17)
09. Pompen (3:09)
10. Vattenmusik (1:34)
11. Valgrotta (1:50)
12. Celestavals (3:10)
13. Alicetheme II (1:35)
14. Teatime (Original) (0:59)
15. Doina (3:48)
16. Tom lilla Tom (0:47)
17. Unaffair (3:20)
18. Okformeimpro, for you? (4:00)
19. Harmonium I (3:13)
20. Sarasnoa (1:47)
21. Sometime (3:25)
22. Südaf (4:37)
23. Årstidsvisan (3:33)
24. Franksa valsen (2:36)
25. Novelty (5:04)
26. Door (0:02)

Lars Hollmer: accordion, keyboards, percussion, melodica, vocals 
Eino Haapala: guitar 
Gabriel Strand Hollm: percussion, vocals 
Hasse Bruniusson: drums 
Lars Krantz: bass 
Olle Sundin: keyboards 
Olof Hellberg: drums 
Rinda Strand Hollmer: vocals 
Ulf Wallander: soprano saxophone, flute 
Wolfgang Salomon: alto vocals, bass, percussion

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Lars Hollmer - Från Natt Idag (Sweden 1983) [AvantProg] @320K

During the '80s, Swedish keyboardist/accordionist Lars Hollmer set off on his own path separate from Samla Mammas Manna and their offshoots, and fully hit his stride with the release of 1983's Från Natt Idag, a sometimes quirky slice of Scandinavian folk-flavored avant-prog rock on which Hollmer sang and played all the instruments, recording alone at night in his Chickenhouse studio. The accordion and Hollmer's occasional vocals impart warmth to the music, which is sometimes dominated by the type of electronic drum rhythms and synth tones that characterized the '70s-'80s prog era. Yet during this period Hollmer also used his personal studio to sculpt sound and atmosphere in a manner similar to Brian Eno -- "Skar" slots into Från Natt Idag in a way not too dissimilar from the way a track like "Zawinul/Lava" fit into Another Green World. And Hollmer followed up "Skar" with "Optimistbeat," a multi-tracked dose of spirited prog-folk with prominent accordion melody and a bridge of 100 percent pure rock & roll. "Nationsjazz," with its driving meter alternating between 6/8 and 5/8, would prove a killer tune for Hollmer's SOLA band to cover in a Tokyo studio nearly two decades later; the quintessentially uncategorizable "Fur Munju" (neo-classical ska fusion?) would get the multi-tracked Hollmer treatment here while also showing up in a full-band sextet arrangement on Von Zamla's No Make Up!, also recorded at the Chickenhouse in 1983 and released the following year. [Several selections from Från Natt Idag were later included in the 1993 single-CD comp entitled Lars Hollmer 80-88 (later re-released as The Siberian Circus), and in 1998 Resource Records included the entire album in the very worthwhile two-CD set Tonöga/Från Natt Idag/Vendeltid, which included bonus tracks.]
-AMG-


01. Hoppas Att Det Går (2:45)
02. Mowiee (3:26)
03. Skiss Till Jazz (1:51)
04. Liturgiskt Beat (4:30)
05. Persisk Park (3:21)
06. Soon Song (2:27)
07. Ett Tungt OK (3:18)
08. Skär (2:09)
09. Optimiistbeat (4:10)
10. Nationsjazz (3:22)
11. Inte Quanta (2:29)
12. Tango Noll (3:40)
13. Mörkrädd Vals (3:03)
14. Für Munju (2:52)


Lars Hollmer: accordion, keyboards, drums & percussion, vocals, everything else

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Lars Hollmer - XII Sibiriska Cyklar & Vill Du Höra Mer (Sweden 1981 & 1982) [AvantProg] @320K

The title XII sibiriska cyklar allude to the story about the Siberian farmer, who was living so dreadfully far away from everything and everybody, that he spent most of his time walking to his every destination. However, when he at last became tired of these boring time-consuming walks, he sat down and eventually invented a bicycle! Struck with rapture for his ingenious invention, he anxiously straddled his bike and rode into the nearest town. He intend to show and to apply for a patent for his wonderful innovation. When at long last, he reached the town, he shocked to see thousand of bicycles zooming along in the drizzle. Under the grey skies, he then suddenly dies of a heart attack. I don't believe there is a any truth to this story, even though it is worth considering... Anyway I have stolen it from Hasse...
All songs on XII sibiriska cyklar are created by Lars Hollmer, except the lyrics of "Ung Harald" which was written by Dan Andersson and performed by Tomas Ladberg.
XII sibiriska cyklar was recorded in the Chickenhouse outside Uppsala, on Teac 8 track recorder, in June through October 1980 and in March 1981. "Kamelsväng" is a home recording from 1975 and "litet Piano" was recorded on a cassete recorder in 1976. The final mix was made on one hot day and night by Anders Lind and Lars Hollmer in the MNW Studio, in April 1981, and later in the Chickenhouse by Lars Hollmer.
XII sibiriska cyklar was originally released on vinyl by Silence Records in the summer 1981.

Vill Du Höra Mer was recorded during the Spring 1982 (with one exception) in the Chickenhouse, on the same old 8 track recorder. It was mixed by Tomas Gabrielsson and Lars Hollmer in the Chickenhouse, in July 1982. All instruments and vocals by Lars Hollmer, except on "180 sekunder hemma" where Alva, Gabriel, Johannes Strand/Hollmer and Saralotta Jönsson take part.



Tracks 1-13: XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Tracks 14-28: Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)

01 - Avlägsen Strandvals
02 - Piano De Jugugte
03 - Hajar Du Idealfamiljen
04 - Endlich Ein Zamba
05 - Inga Pengar
06 - Kamelsväng
07 - Ja Änte Flöttar Ja Te Sjöss
08 - Boeves Psalm
09 - Jag Väntar Pa Pelle
10 - Bluesen
11 - 44 Sekunder Köpt Speldosa
12 - Ung Harald
13 - Litet Piano
14 - Starlep Signs
15 - Sweet
16 - Indojazz
17 - Soldaten
18 - En Slags Orfeo
19 - Övergang
20 - Baldis
21 - Retsticka
22 - Dragfragment
23 - Glasmusik & Akarondo
24 - Kuckeliku
25 - Vill Du Höra Mer
26 - 180 Sekunder Hemma
27 - Humanoid Robottango
28 - Finalvals


Lars Hollmer: accordion, keyboards, drums & percussion, vocals, everything else 

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)

Lars Hollmer - Utsikter (Sweden 2000) [AvantProg] @320K

As the calendar moved from 1999 to 2000, the world looked forward to a new millennium and Lars Hollmer continued as he had for the past three decades — gathering with his musician friends at the Chickenhouse to make music that stands outside of time's passing fads. The result was another fine CD, Utsikter, the 11th disc to be released on Hollmer's KRAX label.
Sonically, Utsikter is one of the Swedish keyboardist/composer's lighter efforts, often tending more toward folk and even neo-classical chamber music flavors rather than prog rock, with his accordion and melodica featured more prominently in the mix than electronic keyboards.
The album also has more of a "band" feel than Hollmer's preceding solo CD, Andetag, recalling elements of the Looping Home Orchestra's Vendelted in its multi-instrumental arrangements, and perhaps foreshadowing Hollmer's next group, SOLA, although without SOLA's electric rock and even fusion edge.
Many longstanding Hollmer collaborators are important contributors to the overall sound, including several — bassoonist/oboist Michel Berckmans, violinist Santiago Jimenez, and bassist Wolfgang Salomon — who appeared on Andetag but play on a larger number of tracks here. The music is of consistently high quality throughout, beginning with the waltzing "Augustins Tema," whose theme first appeared in Hollmer's "Augustin Lesage," a 17-minute multi-tracked suite that closed out the Hardis Bruts various-artists compilation (dedicated to "raw art") on the In-Poly-Sons label.
The comparatively sprightly and detailed arrangement here features prominent violin, bassoon, recorder, and accordion; with its evocative melodies and rhythms skirting the edge between classical romanticism and sprightly European folk, this tune would prove lovely even when revisited again by the duo of Hollmer and violinist Yuriko Mukoujima on 2003's mini-CD Live and More, but the Utsikter version remains definitive thus far. Hollmer permits himself a few moments to cut loose on the melodica over a bubbling groove in the middle section of "Denglad," but as is often the case with him, most of the CD is thoroughly composed.
The intro to "Ambler" is anthemic in its writing yet understated in its delivery — Hollmer at his most quietly powerful — but the tune then segues into an upbeat dance rhythm in a fashion that might surprise only those unfamiliar with this composer's many left turns. "Lädereld" ambles along the trail in 5/4 cowboy mode, echoing Lasse's earlier "Starlep Signs" (minus the yodeling!), while the 7/8 "Südaf" improves on the rougher yet still appealing version first heard on the Vandelmässa CD (and also performed beautifully, complete with a wordless vocal part by Maria Kalaniemi, on the Accordion Tribe CD Sea of Reeds). It should be noted that Utsikter has no "drummer" per se (which may have been the impetus for a jokey track like "Drums, mm...," featuring Hollmer earnestly explaining the positive features of the skins over his decidedly arrhythmic electronic drum bashing). Yet Utsikter is often highly percussive, drawing comparison to Zamlaranamma by the original Von Zamla quartet, which also featured percussion instruments but no one sitting behind a conventional kit.
In fact, "Voilapük" — which first appeared on the Volapük album Polyglot in 2000 with a guest appearance by Hollmer — sounds like a Von Zamla rendition with its bassoon and accordion embellishments, its bed of insistent rattling percussion, and a driving 7/8 meter on the vamp. At the CD's conclusion, "Brev" is chamber music of delicate and wistful eauty, with an underlying two-note motif trailing off in search of resolution it never finds, and the brief title track has a feeling akin to a traditional Celtic air, with a beautiful unison oboe and accordion melody over Hollmer's orchestral keyboard backing. "Utsiker" segues into the final accordion/vocal lullaby "Nån Kanske Vet" ("Someone May Know"), as Hollmer once again demonstrates that writing and performing music of innocence, warmth, and charm is entirely consistent with artistic maturity. Only the immature would feel themselves too mature to enjoy Utsikter's gentle conclusion.
-by Dave Lynch-


01. Augustins Tema (4:06)       
02. Nåt (2:34)       
03. Drums..MM. (1:22)       
04. Denglad (3:21)       
05. Skum (3:00)       
06. Ambler (5:01)       
07. Lädereld (Leather Fire) (2:45)       
08. Nu Räcker Det (It's Enough Now) (1:19)       
09. Lelle Katta (Home Made Holiday) (2:18)       
10. Choleric in Geneva (Live) (0:56)       
11. Voilapük (3:02)       
12. Lat Minut (Lazy Minute) (1:05)       
13. Südaf II (3:53)       
14. Dron (4:28)       
15. Brev (Letter) (5:28)       
16. In Limbo (1:41)       
17. Utsikter...Nån Kanske Vet (Views...Someone May Know) (3:51)


Lars Hollmer: Guitar, Piano, Accordion, Drums, Keyboards, Programming, Whistle (Human), Melodica, Electronic Drums, Mandola, Choir, Chorus, Voices, Piano (Electric), Harmonium, Cymbals, Percussion
Coste Apetrea: Mastering, Six String Banjo
Wolfgang Salomon: Bass, Guitar, Bass (Electric), Bass (Acoustic)
Santiago Jimenez: Mandolin, Violin, Cajon
Matti Andersson: Flute
Michel Berckmans: Percussion, Voices, Gong, Horn (English), Bells, Recorder, Oboe, Bassoon
Kalle Eriksson: Trumpet
Rinda Strand-Hollmer: Choir, Chorus
Alva Strand-Hollmer: Choir, Chorus  

DISCOGRAPHY:

Solo albums:
XII Sibiriska Cyklar (1981)
Vill Du Höra Mer (1982)
Från Natt Idag (1983)
Joggingcharleston Singel (1984)
Tonöga (1985)
Vendeltid (1987)
The Siberian Circus (compilation, 1992)
Vandelmässa (1993)
Andetag (1998)
Utsikter (2000)
Autokomp A(nd)more (2001)
SOLA: Lars Hollmer's Global Home Project (2002)
Viandra (2007)

With Samla Mammas Manna:
Samla Mammas Manna (1971)
Måltid (1973)
Klossa Knapitatet (1974)
Snorungarnas Symfoni (1975)
Kaka (1999)
Dear Mamma (2002)

With Zamla Mammaz Manna:
Schlagerns Mystik / För Äldre Nybegynnare (1978)
Familjesprickor (1980)

With von Zamla:
Zamlaranamma (1982)
No Make Up (1983)
1983 (1999, rec. live 1983)  

With Ramlösa Kvällar:
Ramlösa Kvällar (Nights Without Frames) (1977)

With Fem Söker En Skatt:
Fem Söker En Skatt (1995)

With Looping Home Orchestra:
Vendeltid (1987)
Door Floor Something Window (live, 1993)

With Accordion Tribe:
Accordion Tribe (live, 1998)
Sea of Reeds (2002)
Lunghorn Twist (2006)

With Fanfare Pourpour:
Karusell musik (2007)