SOLO

After the release of ''Inget Nytt Under Solen'' Kaipa went back on the road for around 100 tour dates, but the plans of the band for an international success were suddenly disrupted due to the departure of bassist Tomas Eriksson because of musical differences.The three remaining members decided to hire a lead vocalist, so Lundin could focus on his keyboard work, and the new singer was Mats Löfgren, while bassist Mats Lindberg also joined the band.In December 1977 Kaipa recorded their third album ''Solo'' at the Europa Film Studios in Stockholm, mixed in January 78' and finally released on Decca in May 1978.

For their third effort Kaipa abandoned the long, epic compositions of their previous albums and offered a total sum of 11 songs, the longer one clocking just over the 7 minute mark.But fortunately the sound of the band remained delicate, complicated, adventurous, intricate and highly melodic with strong symphonic overtones and a touch of more Fusion-oriented vibes in some tracks.Additionally some of these tracks were tightly connected to offer longer and more diverse music themes with a flexibility regarding the styles and moods chosen.Overall the main core of Kaipa's sound was still grounded in GENESIS/FOCUS-like Symphonic Rock with a beautiful Scandinavian feeling due to the expressive Swedish lyrics, delivered by a new singer with a warm and sensitive voice.Musically the band still managed to present a unique combination of smooth, lyrical Progressive Rock and elaborated Symphonic Rock, based on Stolt's melodious guitar work and Lundin's efforts on organs, Mellotron and piano.The arrangements are clever with an alternation between intense interplays and calm instrumental textures, featuring strong Classical content in the keyboard parts, and eventually swirling around cinematic grandieur and imaginery soundscapes.

Add another beautiful Kaipa release in the list.Melodic, dreamy and challenging Scandinavian Prog of an extreme quality.Not to be missed and certainly highly recommended.