Atlas - Bla Vardag (1979) (1995)

Atlas biography
Founded in Malmö, Sweden in 1974 - Disbanded in 1980 (to form MOSAIK)

ATLAS are a Swedish Symphonic Prog group that released a single studio album in 1979. The album titled "Bla Vardag" featured an accomplished lineup of musicians; Björn Ekborn on organ, piano, synths, clavinet, mellotron, Rhodes, Erik Björn Nielsen on synths, mellotron, Rhodes, organ, piano, Micke Pinotti on drums, Uffe Hedlund on bass, bass pedals, guitar, and Janne Persson on guitar, percussion double-keyboards, guitars, bass and drums.

The music is primarily beautiful symphonic rock with a fusion slant, largely instrumental, with a great deal of inspired passages with an emphasis on guitar and dual keyboard interplay. ATLAS are commonly compared to an instrumental version of GENESIS, BO HANNSON and late 70's CAMEL such as the sound of their "Breathless" album. The Swedish Prog scene is concentric on a lighter sound, almost Canterbury in feel at times, along the lines of ALTER ECHO, THE FOUNDATION, KAIPA, MOON SAFARI, and IN THE LABYRINTH, and this is the type of serene music that ATLAS generates, featuring a double keyboard soundscape.

Although there is only one album to seek out, it is a critically praised musical treat; certainly one of the strongest traditional Symphonic albums from the late 70s. Discerning fans of instrumental prog with a symphonic flair will find a lot to like about "Blå Vardag". progarchives.com