UPPSALA

This was actually a French band, found in 1976 in Bordeaux by guitarist Philippe Cauvin, bassist Dany Marcombe and drummer Didier Lamarque.They were named after the birthplace of Coste Apetra and Jukka Tolonen, two great Scandinavian musicians the trio met during their vacation.After series of concerts, in 1979 a tragedy almost struck Uppsala after a car accident, where Lamarque was severely injured and Marcombe lost use of his legs.Two years later Uppsala were back and in the fall of 1983 the trio recorded its self-titled debut at the Carat Studio in Bordeaux, distributed the following year by the Madrigal label.

Actually Apetrea not only influenced the name of the band, but SAMLA MAMMAS MANNA -Apetrea's group- seem to have been a huge inspiration for Uppsala.This is quirky, inventive and often complex Jazz/Fusion with big time breaks and impressive rhythmic patterns all the way.The adventurous musicianship is usually supported by the somekind theatrical and even humourous vocals of Phillipe Cauvin, which are definitely an acquired taste.The music on the other hand is mostly interesting.The album contains plenty of changing tempos, the slower ones having some sort of a psychedelic vibe, the longer ones though are even better with very deep bass lines, solid drumming and Cauvin's Fusion-esque guitar hooks.

17 years later the album was reissued by Musea and contained three live (and unreleased) tracks of Uppsala's comeback concert in Bordeaux in March 1995, where the group was accompanied by trumpeter/synth player Freddy Buzzon.Uppsala's sound had now a more jazzy vibe due to presence of Buzzon's trumpet, but their style still retained strong psychedelic passages, quirky Fusion guitar-driven themes and of course Cauvin over the top vocals.

A solid release for fans of fiery, slightly loose and very technical Jazz/Fusion.Warmly recommended.