Mimo Sound Rec. Patrik Skantze and the Free Souls Society : Fiction at first view (S,2006)****°
While some of my reviews were done hurridle through lack of time and finding the right moment for it (beside the very old ones that were at first only meant as a vague additional reference and illustration for the radioshows and for further stimulation of research), I can still decide to prepare myself for such a second chance. Like with releases that finally get there when time is right (like with reissues) perhaps also some albums for review purposes are dealing with that nature as well, that not always all things fall together well. I know that people can get impatient when it takes longer than a month, but in fact the right moment to listen and to review is important as well. How many reviews are not written before the creativity behind the albums is fully understood ? Also, I focus mostly on the music, so I have the disadvantage I still can hardly get deep enough into the textual part.
I recognised this album from the start that this will become an important album for what I am sure will be generally appreciated by ‘70s prog collectors. All elements needed for this are present. There are many dynamic instrumental progressions, as well as crafted songs with strength, a beautiful voice which had its own production process in the recording, a general warm production with contrasts of 12-string guitar, with keyboards and other instruments that are arranged to texture the sound and the songs. In parts the emotionality in the singing is in between the best Neil Young and perhaps Al Stewart, and on the strongest moments with a similar strength like Bob Trimble. Also the drumming follows the emotionality in the singing perfectly. The longer tracks have also some analogue keyboards and some electric guitar improvisations. One of my favourites is “My Dreams Of Fate”, an incredibly beautiful sad & emotional song, this time also with additional female vocals by Eva Björkner, with an almost theatrical strength of true emotions (with keyboards, guitars and vocal harmonies). The instrumental after this, “The Plunge”, which is a bit harder, has some small but interesting percussive improvised section, besides various other themes on different guitars and keyboards, build up in a symphonic and a progressive rock way. The next two sections, first a song and then a instrumental also reveal interesting acoustic guitar passages.
Patrik Skantze : lead & backing vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, 12-string, bass, keyboards & piano, Christopher Korling : drums, congas, Eva Björkner : lead/backing vocals & flute. Jörgen Palm plays cello on two tracks.
PS. His previous album, "music for my egos sake" contained just 2 long tracks. A third album is under construction, with the same members and a new bass player Patrik Öhlin-Olsson.
