ABLUTION

After Sonic Youth's Washing Machine, comes Ablution (cover art joke, laughter please).

Ahhh, the swedish music. From Ace of Base to Entombed, from ABBA to Dan Swano projects, I love it. This is Ablution first and last. This isn't a miss. Otherwise, a great jazz/fusion full filled with good solos and a variety of instruments. Mainly Peter Robinson (later in Brand X) keyboards, are very pleasent for me. The violent flutist is very remarkable. From the first song, they show what they got, with awesome keys riffage, percurssion, guitar solo, flute, trumpet, all fused into a stylish rhythm. There is some avant gardish presence at this album, and some dissonant chords. This is the kind of music that if you press "play" you won't stop until it reaches the end.

This obscure seven-piece band cut their sole album in Sweden, 1974, John Gustafson (bass) and Pete Robinson (Keybords) were two Englishmen that had worked together earlier in the UK prog rock trio Quatermass (1970). Ablution plays a very average kind of jazz-rock fusion that can't stick into my mind.Their playing is solid enough, particularly the combination of the flute and the percussion is strong and adds a latin flavor to their sound. Typical of this era we also hear elements of funk here and there, but overall nothing memorable. As I know it never came out on cd, so the vinyl copies may be expensive too. So, don't look around for it, except if you are deep into Jazz Rock.

This is an excellent Jazz Rock album out of Sweden although this rather large seven piece band includes three guys from the UK. I like the picture of the guys on the back cover. Two of the Brits John Gustafson(bass) and Peter Robinson(electric piano, clavinet, synths and organ) come from the heavy band QUATERMASS while the other is Barry De Souza out of London on trumpet and drums. The legendary Bjorn J:Son is here on flute, electric piano and percussion.

Man this is such an impressive album to listen to. Mostly uptempo with outstanding musicians playing complex arrangements. A lot of percussion on here along with some incredible bass and drum work while the flute, guitar and electric piano often solo over top. Some exceptions are the short "Woodchurch Sorceress" which is haunting with experimental sounds and sparse flute. And the longest track and closer "The Visitor" is also haunting to a lesser degree as it trips along with some flute and a relaxed sound. Headphone music right here. "Third Meter Stroll" is all about the beats and bass. Love that bass. Favourite tracks are "Bluegaloo" the opener with some funk and flute leading the way. Lots of percussion sounds then the guitar solos after 2 minutes. The other top song for me is "Equator" with that powerful sound and insane flute. Some cool sounding guitar expressions and electric piano too.

Just a very well played album with tons going on most of the time. The bass player would go on to play with Ian Gillan band and Roger Glover while the keyboardist went to BRAND X.