KORNET

Later period fusion album expertly crafted. The group is a nice entry into the jazzrock world, obscure yet extremely competent. No real sustained fireworks and the interest lags a little from time to time but this is a great example of terrific music that has gone nearly unheard. I'll draw some parallels to Jukka Tolonen (Tasavallan Presidentti)'s work of the time in the area of accessible jazzrock. I'd say Tolonen is more funky overall but this is a really good album. Slsta Skrikrt and Platniklas, the longest tracks on the album, embody the spirit I feel they are attempting to convey.

The third and last album of this band, which had Stefan Nilsson among its members, later he would become a sought after film composer in Sweden, but back to Kornet, a band that performed an excellent mix of jazz/rock and fusion bringing elements of prog rock to the mix, and that can be the link for some fans of the later genre to explore this band. However, I would not recommend it to all of you, just those that include the jazzy side of jazz rock in their musical taste and the sonic explorers wanting to find new music. For me, this band is an overall 4, but then I love jazz rock, jazz and fusion too. Excellent instrumentals moments.

Do you take sweet fusion in your coffee?

Sweden has produced a fair amount of fusion acts through the times, but for some reason these never managed to punch through to the audience they deserved. The fact of the matter is, that we up here in the cold north actually have a long-standing jazz tradition going back to the days after W.W. 2, where countless of black jazz musicians called either Denmark or Sweden their home. Racism was still in its pyjamas up here, and people just saw them the same way they saw the American soldier: Like a hero. Others saw these incredible jazz men for what they were, and were therefore also happy as fish to see them play in their local beat club on a day to day basis. This is why Scandinavia saw a booming increase in white musicians all through the 60s and 70s - all of them wanting to play like Ben Webster or Sonny Rollins. Well some of them developed a fancy for the fusion part of jazz, incredibly warm to the idea that Miles had introduced towards the end of the 60s - melting rock and jazz together in one big pan.

Kornet (The Seed) were one of these bands who took the advice of Miles, although this outing is as far away from Bitches Brew as Celine Dion is to Neurosis. This self titled debut is extremely focused on melodies and smooth textures. Its wonderful usage of the electric piano for example is just heaven, and although this forum may not be the biggest fan of Stevie Wonder - I'll still recommend all you fans to have a closer listen to this keys man. I hear distinct similarities between him and Mr. Wonder - in fact I'll go as far as to say, that had he not chosen to go down the funk n pop road, this album offers a very good guess as to how Wonder would have sounded. There's some funk to this record as well, meaning you can dance to the thing, and before I scare the rest of you guys away, then let me say that all the instrumental wizardry within this bugger more than makes up for this fault of its. The funk is in the rhythm guitar, the bouncy booming bass and the tight drum work that propel this venture forward like a regular steam engine. Upon this funkadelic foundation you get esoteric raw piano runs, vibraphone, xylophone, French horn, the Stevie Wonder keys, saxophone, flute, bassoon, electric guitar songs making out with flying synthesizers and the odd cello. This music always has purpose - there's no jams for the sake of jams. -Not to these ears at least. Everything runs smoothly on the sonic train tracks, without getting long winded or obscure. Sure there's a bit of room, if the flute wants to play its piece slightly different than what it's used to, but the overall picture of a well-trained poodle still stands.

One of my favourite things about this album is the way the xylophones and marimbas are put to use. Just like with Zappa, these runs happen during distinct turnovers in the music - highlighting the given moment in sheer percussive bliss. That's what I love about these sort of instruments, because even if they are rhythmic objects, they still have pitch and a certain persona to them as well. Nothing sounds like them, which is what makes them so interesting, when they're put to good use - just like on here. They spice up the rest of the music with something unique.

The feel of the whole thing almost radiates warmth and welcoming salutes - opening up in your ears with delicate, smooth melody laden jazz rock that will have you smiling at the world in no time. This is fusion for the people who don't necessarily go for fusion. It has that aura about it, and that is probably why I tend to reach for it, whenever Miles and Herbie are a bit too wild and frantic for me. 3.5 stars.

First of all,it is very nice to see these guys now having been acknowledged to be on here at prog archives.

The first two Kornet albums ,the self titled Kornet and the second Fritt fall (Free fall) are very similar,so this review could also fit the first album.

Kornet is a great band similar to another Swedish band EGBA,who are unfortunately not listed here on prog archives.The music here is a very energetic and adventurous blend of jazz rock fusion,with great swinging rhythm,along the lines of Return to Forever,Billy Cobham,Janne Schaffer,Bjorn Jason Lindh ,Isotope,Missus Beastly,Pekka Pohjola,Perigeo and the warmth of the Scandinavian north,if this makes sense,but when you hear this,I am sure you will understand.

Musicianship is top notch and everybody gets their fair chance to lets lose and show their skills.

I still have these from way back and they are still great to throw on every now and again.If you can find these anywhere,do yourself a favour and snap them up.

Very good Jazz Rock band from Ojebyn,Sweden,formed in 1974,which released 3 LP's between 1975 and 1979.All members had a good background mostly in pop music,until they got tired and decided to choose a more demanding music path.This decision led them to the release of their self-titled debut in 1975,which is their strongest effort for many Prog/Jazz Rock collectors.The band consisted of Stefan Nillson on piano/synths, Stefan Björklund on guitars, Sten Forsman on bass/cello, Allan Lundström on saxes, Åke Sundqvist on drums/percussions/vibraphone and Johan Engström on flutes/acoustic guitars. The tracks can be split in three categories: These into fast and furious grooves with great guitar solos and powerful interplays,these into flute-driven calm jazzy prog with a slight Canterbury feeling,while the third category includes compositions in a Free Jazz from,dominated by improvisational saxes and nice work on bass/contrabass by Forsman.All of them are of very high quality without exception,which shows the band great talent and perfect collaboration.I can also make an honourable reference to the awesome electric piano work of Stefan Nillson,who also had an underground personal career in the 80's,releasing 3 personal LP'S.Very decent work,highly recommended to Jazz Rock lovers...3.5 stars.