[1973-2014·CE31]

Again and Again (CE31)

1972 - Spjärnsvallet

Release on november 8, 2014
Spjärnsvallet was formed when Berger, who had studied music in India (and was on his way to Ghana), met Bothén who had learned in Mali (and was on his way to Morocco) for a long collaboration with Don Cherry starting 1973 in New York where INNOCENCE is recorded. This was the starting point for the group with Nikke Ström and Kjell Westling. In 1975 we recorded the minor classic album Spjärnsvallet together. Some material that was not released then or was shortened to fit the LP format makes up the rest of this album plus a recording the three of us did just now: AGAIN – in remembrance of deceased multi instrument genius Kjell Westling, where we improvise around a couple of the tunes we used to play 40 years back .

This is how the original album looked:

Spjärnsvallet (MNW-57P)      Spjärnsvallet - back(MNW-57P)

 

 

Vinyl - inside cover

Vinyl – inside cover

The Gothenburg label Omlott has licensed Again and Again and have released a vinyl edition with their own cover art on May 20 2015. On the same day we make the album available on Spotify and other streaming sites.

SPJÄRNSVALLET_VinylCover2362px

Spjärnsvallet played two release concerts in 2015, one at Rönells in Stockholm on May 19 and one at Folkteatern in Gothenburg on May 20. In both concerts we had the pleasure of having Goran Kajfes and David Stackenäs playing with us. In mid june we performed at the Psykjunta festival and on december 11 and 12 we will play in Aarhus and at Global in Copenhagen.


tracks

  1. DJINNA MOSSOUW (3:11)
  2. MALI DONSO N`GONI (3:44)
  3. POJKARNA PDL (5:23)
  4. BALASONG (2:52)
  5. THE JUNGLE (5:56)
  6. HAGA (2:46)
  7. INNOCENCE (5:06)
  8. AGAIN (14:42)

musicians

Kjell Westling, flutes, ballani, bass clarinet, sopranino and alto saxophones
Christer Bothén, guimbri, donso n’goni, ballani, bass clarinet, tenor sax, piano
Nikke Ström, bass
Bengt Berger, drums, mridangam, calebash

more info

Press:

“The quartet organically blends South-Indian musical tradition with West-African traditions, with a strong sense of Ornette Coleman’s Harmolodics method of free improvisation. The seven lost pieces from the seventies sessions of the quartet shine with vibrant joy and innocence, played with an intense rhythmic drive and urgency, still sound fresh and relevant for a new age that consumes these glorious traditions in a synthesized world-music arrangements.”

“Even today, the Spjärnsvallet trio proves its telepathic, rhythmic interplay and its poetic and the imaginative manner of articulation of ideas, strong and beautiful as it ever was.”

– Eyal Hareuveni, Salt Peanuts

“På …. Spjärnsvallets “Again & Again” finns således en samling outgivna, men tidlösa spår från 1975; trumfester, xylofonpartyn, sköna Mali-inspirerade flöjtmelodier och en stunds friblås.” – Alexander Agrell, Sydsvenskan

“Låtarna sprudlar av lustfylld energi” – Patrik Sandberg, Orkesterjournalen

All recorded august 26, 1975 except:
AGAIN recorded at Studio Pannhuset 20140824 by Magnus Persson and
INNOCENCE, recorded at Blue Rock Studios, N.Y. 1973

Mastered by Claes Persson, CRP Recordings
Photo Viktor Gårdsäter
Graphic design Jon Edergren, Spektra
Produced by Bengt Berger
Thanks to Lars Westin