Baltik - Baltik (1973)(2004)

One of several studio bands to feature buddies Jan Schaffer and Björn J:son Lindh, but the Baltik album credits include a number of celebrities such as Anders Nordh, Malando Gassama, Göran Lagerberg and Bengan Dahlén. Swedish pop star Tomas Ledin also makes one of his earliest appearances here. The album isn't very good, at times sounding like a post ”Hair” musical. The best track is Janne Schaffer's ferocious intro song ”Leslie Briggs”, but some people will probably warm to ”Round and Round” and ”No Registration, Please” as well.

Following a year after ”Baltik, Ablution's eponymous album is sometimes described as an informal follow-up. It's true insofar J:son Lindh, Schaffer, Gassama, drummer Ola Brunkert and British bass player John Gustafsson can be heard on both albums. But it's also misleading as they're different beasts altogether, with the all instrumental ”Ablution” being closer to prog and fusion. Ten minute closing track "The Visitor" revels in an unnerving, creeping atmosphere that's very unusual to albums in this genre. The album seems a bit overlooked to me, which is a pity as it's good and way more vital and imaginative than your average stale air jazz rock. These guys enjoy their work and let it show. Well worth hearing, although vinyl copies are getting scarce and a reissue is long overdue. [from the network]