To wish you a happy new year I present you with the Miles Davis tune Great Expectations to put extra emphasis on the importance of always looking forward! This one was also recorded by Reform 2 in 2001. Anders plays the drums and Isak is on percussion.
The mix of the Uncle Urri Suite is progressing, which is very good. What I mean to say is that the music is the most important thing. The more I work on the Urri Suite the more I appreciate Uncut & Lo-Fi. It so raw, honest and energetic. The Urri Suite will be great, that's not the problem. the problem is that I want it finished now and this time everything needs a bit of work because of the way it was recorded.
About another recording: Rated X, a Miles Davis tune that we recorded in 2000. It is an 18 min. psychedelic journey. The line-up is Reform 2:
Jesper Bergman: Electric bass Johan Glasson: Electric guitar Anders Bergman: Percussion Mattias Lennestig: Rhodes Reine Fiske: Electric guitar Alexander Wiig: Percussion, Sitar Isak Andersson: Drums
Yesterday I went to SAE to get all the files from the recording session. I had brought my hard drive, that I had previously used for file transfer from and to Mac. Of course it did not work this time and finally everything was burnt onto a dvd. Well at home I uploaded everything to my computer and started mixing. There was a lot to do, but finally it was listenable and I must say that I am extremely satisfied. It did not sound at all as I felt when recording! An anecdote about Jerry Garcia on this theme:
When selecting tracks for the album Europe '72 Grateful Dead selected tracks from a concert that Jerry Garcia had been extremely dissatisfied with just after the performance. He had been so annoyed about how bad the concert had turned out that he pushed Phil Lesh down a staircase upon leaving the stage. Anyway, some tracks on the mentioned album are from this particular concert! It is incredible!
What this anecdote means to be, no matter whether it's true or, is that you have to get some distance between you and the recording, concert or whatever in order to get a perspective.
Enjoy this clip with the Grateful Dead performing China Cat Sunflower from Copenhagen '72. They are LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!
I am currently awaiting some raw material from the SAE session. I have decided that it would be nice to make a mix and see how it differs from the one I will receive from SAE.
Today we had a recording session at SAE. We were very excited and had great expectations. We arrived at studio 2 which had quite a small recording room, but a big control room with a huge mixer. We set up the drums and then we waited for almost two hours while everything was rigged. They used 14 (!!) mikes on the drums, two channels for each guitar, two for the bass and two for the keyboard. After that we had to check everything which took about an hour more and after that we had to try out the sound in our headphones. The last phase took quite a while since there was some trouble getting the guitar and bass volumes up. After that it was finally time to play.
I have recorded a great many times in different studios and in my opinion it is a lot different recording jazz in a digital studio in comparison with a an analogue one. Why? The majority of the studio engineers want to record with the highest in-level possible. In a digital studio you have to be very careful with the peaks and in an analogue studio you don't have to because the only thing that happens if the signal peaks is that there will be some band compression. When you record jazz you want to be able to alter your volume. Another matter is that about recording with headphones to be able to separate everything when you mix; you do not want leakage. But when you play jazz, or any kind of improvisational music, the most important thing is to feel comfortable when you record otherwise you won't be able to be creative. And when you play jazz you seldom think of overdubbing, substituting or erasing. Every time you play the tune it comes out differently.
We recorded our last studio album analogically on tape in a great studio called Real Music Studio. It is run by a guy called Per who knows his studio extremely well. There we recorded an entire album on a weekend, mixing included. There were four mikes on the drums, one each on guitars, bass and keyboard. We used no headphones, we had a great laughable atmosphere and since we were so comfortable playing there everybody played extremely well.
I don't know why but I always get the feeling that a computer is not a genuine "music machine" and that slows the process down and changes the focus from the music to the technology.
Anyway, at SAE they really have everything and the engineers really know their gadgets! Let's see about the result!
Yesterday we had a fantastic rehearsal with Jonte, who was a great guy and guitarist. The first tune we played was Uncle Urri immediately followed by Uncle Urri II, in which Jonte made a wonderful guitar solo. The riff, that is played in unison with guitar and keyboard, which was originally played by Johan was now taken over by Peter. Peter was in a great mood and also made a perfect guitar solo on Uncle Urri II. Therefore we decided to give Peter's solo in Urri I to Magnus and let Peter have a solo in Urri II instead. Alvaro will take one of the solos in Urri II. I am looking forward to Saturday's recording session! After this we played the rest of our tunes and Jonte played great!
For the concert at Kolingen Magnus wrote a song that he calls Tax Vobiscum. It was the second time we played it. The first time was at the rehearsal the day before the gig. Great song! I like it when everybody contributes. Here it is:
Saturday the first rehearsal with Jonte will take placed. I am really looking forward to that!!!
Enjoy another clip from Kolingen! This time it is Spooky, a tune composed by Johan Klaeson and I, originally from Reduced & Maximized. Towards the end of the song a spontaneous percussion solo emerges. Bill found a snare drum backstage and joined Anders and Åke.
Here is another tune from Kolingen. In fact, it consists of two tunes: Uncle Urri from Reformed and Uncle Urri II. It was Peter's idea two make a medley and I thought it was a very good idea and so (as I've already told you), on December 5 we will record this medley at SAE with engineer Mats Wergelius. Enjoy!
I hope you liked Amanita Muscaria from Kolingen. Now enjoy the next tune. This one was written by Peter, Anders and I and it is called Unmajor.
I talked to Jonatan "Jonte" Hansson who has accepted to take Johan Klaeson's place as guitarist. He will make his debut on December 5 on the SAE recording session. We are going to meet before that and do a jam session. I am looking forward to that.
CD Reviews Sunday, November 15, 2009 "uncut & lo-fi" by Reform (Jazz Artist from Sweden)
"uncut & lo-fi" is the 5th and latest release from the Swedish group of 9 musicians known as Reform. They have been described as "Swedish psychedelic jazz-rock for the open minded." But what this album really sounds like is excited instrumental psychedelic garage-rock that takes cues from jazz in its improvisation and sense of order. The opener, "Lion Bar," is a wild track with boisterous and echo-laced drums, plus a plethora of instruments and sounds that makes for an energetic clamor skillfully placed somewhere between music and noise. In "Uncle Urri 2" they slow things down with a more reserved blues beat overlaid with soulful, yet highly spacey, harmonica and guitar playing. For "Spooky" they give us a song that sounds like a blend of jazz and jam-band styled rock, recorded loudly in their unique "lo-fi" manner. If you are a fan of experimental instrumental music, or intrigued by garage-rock that dares to employ the methods of jazz jams, then Reform's CD, "uncut & lo-fi," is an album you would certainly be interested in hearing.
-Sean B. and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
You can buy the cd at CDBABY:
Yesterday Susanne, Peter and I went to see Wasa Express perform at Stampen. It was great! They played two brand new tunes. One was called Harry Schein's Impossible Mission and the other one I can't remember the name of. It is nice to hear new tunes and not only New Tuna. I was the guest bassist on one tune from their latest album, OS 2032, called Ett Brev (A Letter). On the original they play over a recording of Nils Ferlin's voice from 1944 reciting a poem called Ett Brev. Per Bruun, the bass player, recited and therefore I played bass. It was great playing with them!
On stage with Wasa Express
Wasa in action
Per "Cussion" Tjernberg joined Wasa for this concert
This is the second clip from the concert at Kolingen on November 9. This time it is Amanita Muscaria. Enjoy!
Still very happy about the GrIndie award I have edited some music from the last concert at Kolingen on the 9th of November. I will present the whole concert during the following week.
The line-up is:
Jesper Bergman: Electric bass Anders Bergman: Drums, percussion Åke Eriksson: Drums, percussion Peter Åkerberg: Electric guitar Johan Klaeson: Electric guitar Magnus Ramel: Keyboards Bill Öhrström: Harmonica
I will start this session with a number from Reformed called Happy Landing. A song inspired by the life and times of social science teacher at Saltsjöbadens Samskola, Henrik Landing.
The recording session at SAE has changed from the 12th of December to the 5th of December. A medley consisting of Uncle Urri I and II will be recorded. Technician is Mats Wergelius, a long time friend, collaborator and bass teacher.
Telia is giving me problems with my internet at home, because of that I have not written for a while.
A report:
The concert at Kolingen went great! Bill Öhrström made a fantastic first performance with us. We worked our way up to the peak of psychedelic jazz trance and ended up in Prana and in Nirvana. I am now editing the recording and the video and will make it available to you as soon as possible.
Alvaro Fernandez Gaviria's enchanting music is now available at Spotify along with the second album by Pitchblack-ltd titled Pitchblack-ltd. Check them both out they are great.
Long time collaborator, friend and fellow musician Johan Klaeson/Glasson will be leaving Reform after the gig on the 9th. Since is is one of the original members he has helped creating the sound that defines Reform. For some time back Johan has had a project together with Alexander Wiig, from the second line-up of Reform. I am really looking forward to hear some of it. I am sure it is great! I will keep you informed since I will follow their project with genuine interest. Good luck to them!!!
If you have an opinion about the choice of guitarist, just mail me: info@reform-music.com. I have some guitarist in mind myself. I won't tell you who they are yet.
Uncut & Lo-Fi is now available from CDBABY both physically and digitally.
Everything is a bit slow right now. Record Union has a temporary backlog with Spotify which means that it will take a while before Uncut & Lo-Fi will be up. To register at Record Union I also need the ISRC numbers that CDBABY will give to me within 5-7 days.
The gig is approaching and that is good news. You can buy our discs there.
We are living in the age of hi-tech. All music has to be digitally this and that. I am reading Chuck Berry's biography for the moment and I get inspired by the focus on the actual music and not on the equipment. We have had some concerts this year and musically I have been very satisfied. They have been recorded with camera and a portable recording device that Åke has. These two sources have been blended into one. Honesty is one of the leading terms for Reform. Because of this I thought that it would be a waste not to publish the tracks although they were very lo-fi. The music is good so why should the sound quality be that important? What we want to hear anyway is a group that has a sound within itself and that delivers well played music. When you first turn the album on you may react to the quality, but give it a chance and you will get used to it. The levels between instruments may be a bit strange but that is because Åke's device was placed near the drums and that the camera is moving constantly.
The album Uncut & Lo-Fi is finally here and will soon be available to buy both physically and digitally.
If you want to buy our albums at the same time as you see us in action you are welcome to our concert in Engelens cellar called Kolingen on November 9. Bill Öhrström will play the harmonica.
The new record Uncut & Lo-Fi will arrive on either Tuesday or Wednesday. The cd consists of seven tracks:
1. Lion Bar 2. Spooky 3. Thru Breaks 4. Uncle Urri II 5. Unmajor 6. Amanita Muscaria 7. Hellstone
Spooky comes originally from the album Reduced & Maximized, which is a trio album, from 2004 and is here heard for the first time with the seven piece with Åke on drums. Spooky was written by Johan Klaeson and I and it is very intense in this new version.
Uncle Urri II was written by Alvaro and I in September this year just before the last concert at Stockholm Fusion Club. It came about when Alvaro was trying to get some inspiration for the soundtrack to the movie he is working on for the moment. I appreciate Steve Reich a lot and I am especially fascinated by his phases. So I showed him a piano phase and Alvaro immediately took to it. He played a simple phrase to make a phase out of and I thought it sounded beautifully. That piano line became the core of Uncle Urri II. A beautiful piece here with Anders on drums.
Unmajor came about on the 24th of January 2009 during a jam session with Anders, Peter and I. Anders came up with a groove, Peter with a melody and I with a bassline. Then it was ready. The only thing we changed during the rehearsals for the STFC gig was the meter during the improvisational part. Now it goes 8+4+4 bars.
Here follows the original recording from the jam session with Peter, Anders and I for you who missed it last time I published it.
Today Susanne sent uncut & lo-fi to the factory. It will be finished in about a week. I talked to Bill Öhrström today and he seems like a nice guy and keen on playing. I sent him a copy of Reformed with all the keys for the harmonicas. Everything then seems to be ready for the concert!
Tonight I also bring you a concert from Underbara Bar. Alvaro had the opportunity to join us. Though he was a bit dissatisfied with his sound and volume afterwards. And yes, the harmonica is a bit too low on volume. Anyway it is what it is. With this kind of music one may never know what will happen! That's the way we like it!!!
Everything is ready for the release of "uncut & lo-fi". I am very satisfied. I have had a lot of help with photos and recording from my girlfriend Susanne. Thank you! You are the best! Peter Åkerberg is a photoshop magician with great taste in graphical design. The cover expresses what is on the record, lo-fi(ness). Tomorrow all the material will be sent away to the factory.
While awaiting the record enjoy the a concert from Stampen:
Pedro Martinez is playing the percussion on Amanita Muscaria and Thru breaks. He happened to be there and of course I asked him to join in.
Intense is the word. We have had a gig date confirmed by Club Somebody Please Help Me on the November 9. The concert will take place at Engelen in Gamla stan (Old Town). Alvaro won't be able to join us so his place will be filled by Bill Öhrström, a legend in Swedish popular music. In the mid-sixties Bill turned down an offer to become the lead singer in an English group. This group later became The Who!!!
Here is a clip with Bill Öhrström singing and playing the harmonica. He's got IT!
Busy times. I am negotiating the deal for the new album, which for the moment is called "Uncut & Lo-Fi". I am also considering physical reissues of Easy, Concierto en Altxerri and Reduced & Maximized.
Here is another clip from SFC. This one is the last track from the Reformed album and is called Scapegrace. Be patient! The picture will appear after 26 seconds.
Here is another clip from SFC. This time it's our final number on that concert, the magnificent composition, Hellstone by Kullrusk. On drums, the outstanding drummer, Janne Kullhammar, who did a great job bringing an enormous amount of pure energy to this one. Thanks Janne! You are great!
For the moment Peter Åkerberg and I are working on a Reform live album. It will be very raw and without cuts. It will contain a selection of nine tunes, which will not be the ones with the best sound nor with the most equilibristic solos but with what defines Reform: ENERGY
Look out for it!
If you have any suggestions on anything just contact me on info@reform-music.com
Here is another clip from SFC. It's Unmajor and it was made in January during a jam with Peter, Anders and I. Peter came up with the melody, Anders with the rhythm and I with the bass line. That version was published here on the blog a while ago, but here comes a reminder:
Hi again and thank you for having enjoyed Spooky! It is always nice to see that there is some action out there!
There will soon be more from SFC.
At last I publish Alvaro's re-mix of Desert (from Easy). It turned out very nicely I think and he has captured the mood of the composition and shortened it a great deal. Originally it appeared when we were doing a sound test in the studio during the recordings of, what turned out to be, Easy. I was in the control room and as soon as I heard what was about to happen I pressed play on the A-DATS and went into the studio room to join in on percussion along with Anders.
Please enter DN På Stan and write something about us in support of our upcoming concert at Stockholm Fusion Club on the 12th.
We had a rehearsal today and it went very well! We incorporated three new themes into the set: Spooky, Unmajor and the new, still unnamed one composed by Alvaro and I.
As the first, still unreleased, record was finished Glasson continued playing the clubs of Stockholm. Glasson was obviously a great success since it rapidly gained a following. This lead to the recording of the second album, also called Glasson, was recorded.
The recording of the first record had been an ordeal because of poor recording conditions. Glasson had decided to record everything by themselves, which meant too much experimenting. Yes, the first record turned well, but as it was finished I remembered that all the material had been moved between more than six different computers after it was first recorded on Johan's portable studio (on which Reduced & Maximized was recorded).
The second album was recorded in the spring of 2007 at Real Music Studio by Per Ängkvist (who also recorded Reformed), a very reliable technician, nice fellow and an out of sight blues guitarist. The result was very satisfying and the sound was the sound a a well-rehearsed rock group with a solid style.
This record is not released either, but will hopefully be available some day.
On Thursday Alvaro will come. He will be here for the concert and stay until the 15th. It will be great and, I guess, productive. He always has great ideas. He has just finished the music for the Basque comedy movie, Secretos de Cocina. During his stay he will start working on his new project, that I can´t remember the name of.
I also have the pleasure to announce that Blomqvist and Tee Bee and the Pingus have started their entry into the digital world. You can now access them both at:
Blomqvist is an alternative acoustic duo with a very personal touch. Their debut EP, Broken Times is a masterpiece. Watch out for them! Soon available on all major online stores.
Tee Bee and the Pingus is a jazz fusion quartet, concentrated around composer and guitarist Thomas Berglund. Their record Avtryck will also be available soon at all major online stores.
Glasson was a good and original name for the group and we started some serious rehearsing. Johan came up with one song after another and soon we had a repertoire consisting of well arranged and elaborate songs. We played numerous clubs in Stockholm and we also played in Malmö and Åland.
The first record Glasson (still unreleased) was recorded in the spring of 2006 and mixed during the summer by Johan, Garre and Peter Åhrberg.
The record turned out very well with a raw, intelligent, stoner-rock sound. I hope it will be released some day!
Reform is now distributed by Virgin Mega in France for our French fans!
Here is yet another clip from the Backstage Festival with Mountain Men. This time we are playing Eyes of the World by the Grateful Dead. A very nice tune!
I also have the pleasure to announce that the distribution also goes well for Ulf Henningsson and his latest album "A Place I Used To Know". It is a fine collection of songs!
The gig at Sjöhästen is approaching rapidly. We are looking forward to it and we are hoping that as many of you as possible have the opportunity to come!
I have edited one video from the Backstage Festival. Mountain Men are playing Long Time Gone by Crosby, Stills & Nash. A great song. I hope you will enjoy our version!
Ulf Henningsson: Guitar Jesper Bergman: Bass Anders Bergman: Drums Roland Hjalmarsson: Keyboard
Here is part 2 of the Mountain Men gig at the Backstage Festival. Movie clips will soon follow and the Carl-Eiwar Sect gig will be available here in audio as well as on video.
