In the mid 1970s, Sweden was harboring a handful of jazz bands looking to push the envelope beyond the usual bebop standards or electric noodling. These groups were more than just a little influenced by the freaky fusion of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Collectives like Ibis, Ablution, Egba, Kornet, and Archimedes Badkar were bringing that type of creativity up to the far North. And you have to figure those long, dark winters play a role in creating hallucinations even amongst the most puritan Lutherans wandering about in their show shoes.

Where Berits Halsband makes their distinctive mark, is the reach-over to the indigenous Scandinavian folklore of the local dancehall. However, the music is not dished up through the Zappa blender ala Samla Mammas Manna, but more of an introspective art school approach. As with other large scale ensembles, the seven piece Berits Halsband makes full use of its membership. For example one of the major separation points compared to others of its ilk, is the prominent use of trumpet, often filtered through a wah wah pedal. Their second lead instrument of choice is the lovely flute, often in unison with the trumpet or as a peaceful solo alternative. And while Side 1 sounds like the best soundtrack to your dream Stockholm vacation, side 2 takes us to the Arctic for some serious deep grooving. And here we get some added ring modulated electric piano combined with amazing fuzz guitar soloing, all on top of the trance like bass and active percussion. While the ingredients are familiar, the end result is entirely unique. A strange bedfellow meeting of late electric era Miles circa “Agharta”, combined with the Swedish ethnic rock of Kebnekaise and the psychedelic pyrotechnics of Flasket Brinner. Yea, it’s that good. Unfortunately, as of this writing, no reissue CD exists.