HANSSON & KARLSSON

Many years ago I got this CD as a promo while I worked for the Dutch progrock magazine iO Pages. Hansson & Karlson was a Swedish duo featuring Bo(sse) Hansson on Hammond organ and Janne Carlsson on drums. They made three albums entitled Monument (1967), Rex (1968) and Man At The Moon (1969) and the single Lidingo Airport (1967). They also were the support-act of Frank Zappa, Jefferson Airplane, Cream and Jimi Hendrix. In the booklet of this CD (including an interesting interview) you can read that Jimi Hendrix was impressed by the duo and Jimi and the duo even became friends! By the way, Bo Hansson is also known as an artist who made several symphonic prog albums in the Seventies, his effort Attic Thoughts is recommended.

So what about the music of this Swedish duo? Well, I am delighted about these virtuosic musicians, what a skills, what a great interplay and what a wide range of exciting Hammond organ sounds (especially on the outstanding track February). The music reminds me at some moments of Julian's Treatment and Rare Bird but in general it's swinging jazz and compelling blues. My highlight is I Love, You Love (live 1968 from Rex): Bo freaks out on his Hammond organ, then he slows down but he ends with a bombastic, classically inspired sound in the vein of Keith Emerson, goose bumps! In fact it's "never a dull moment" during the 70 minutes running time of this dynamic and exciting CD compilation!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and I would like to dedicate my review #1100 to the unsurpassed sound of the Hammond organ!