IBIS

Ibis were no other than the continuation of Swedish Heavy/Jazz/Prog rockers Vildkaktus after their last effort ''Natten''.Actually the main core consisting of keyboardist Gosta Nilsson, guitarist Olle Nilsson and bassist Tommy Johnson was the same as on Vildkaktus with the addition of drummer Petur Island 'stlund.The self-titled debut came out in 1974 on EFG.

Under the Ibis name the band seems to focus more on the jazzy side of Progressive Rock with a bit more loose arrangements without forgetting about the heavy explosions met in the Vildaktus albums.Each side of the LP includes two strong and long jazzy arrangements over 10 minutes each, where the new approach of the band is more evident.''Remrus Selegra'' and '' 'ster och v'ster'' have strong Canterbury influences, especially on Gosta Nilsson's electric piano and keyboard work, with nice and powerful grooves, long slightly improvised solos and fuzz heavy psychedelic guitar performance throughout, not far from the sound of NATIONAL HEALTH or HATFIELD AND THE NORTH.The rhytym section is very solid as well and the album worths some spins for these two tracks alone.The shorter cuts are more varied, starting from fiery Latin-influenced Fusion and exploring also the Heavy/Psych sound of Vildaktus along with some Lounge Jazz moments, decent tracks but far from the quality of the longer compositions.

The reasons the band turned to a more jazzy style are still unknown to me, one thing is for sure, Ibis could do it well even with this specific style, offering a rich Jazz-Rock sound with distinct Canterbury and psychedelic influences and this album should interest any listener fond of any of the above music descriptions.Recommended.

There once was this Swedish band called VILDKAKTUS who released three studio albums before the core of that band formed this new one called IBIS where they went more into that Jazz Rock direction. The previous band was a mix of styles apparently of mostly Folk, Jazz and Rock. IBIS were a four piece releasing this debut in 1974 then one more in1980 which I haven't heard. We get guitar, drums, bass and piano with the key here being the ring modulator used by the keyboardist to great affect. It turns that piano sound into Canterbury distortion and it's awesome.

My top two are the two long pieces both around 12 minutes in length but that short 1 1/2 minute opener is a mellow and atmospheric tune with light guitar, piano and bass. It's that second track where we get those distorted keys for the first time on the record. Some short songs on here but lets talk about those two lengthy tracks beginning with "Remrus Selegra". It opens with an energetic drums solo before settling into an electric piano led groove. Guitar and distorted keys follow. Very jazzy around 3 minutes then experimental a minute later. Themes are repeated.

The other long track is "Otter Och Vaster" and it's surprisingly heavy with the guitar grinding away. Nasty stuff then drums only before heavy guitar, distorted keys and more returns. It will stay relaxed with electric piano leading then it kicks in with guitar around 6 minutes as he lights it up, then distorted keys join in replacing the guitar before 7 minutes. Drum solo them more aggressive guitar. The closer is a spacey one at 4 minutes.

I'm not going more than 4 stars here but man this is a really impressive release and I couldn't help but think of COS who also used that ring modulator as well. This is really close to being in that upper echelon of my Jazz and related music but they lose me on some of the shorter tracks.