Kebnekajse ~ Sweden

Resa Mot Okänt Mål (1971)

This is an album I long struggled with, having first heard it in the late 80s. Eventually I picked up the CD in 2011, and within the last couple of weeks I squeezed a +1 out of it. I think the primary issue here is the opening side. It's unlike anything else the group released, and it mars an otherwise excellent work. The album opener has an American west coast hard rocking psych vibe to it. Though strangely modern neo psychsters Dungen can portray this sound on occasion to better results. A2 is an instrumental, not bad at all, but is a bit static overall. A3 is a silly hoedown number that leads to the title track. And it's here that Kebnekaise finds its sea legs. Though the silliness factor is still in effect with the chipmunk voices. Oddly, Mikael Ramel used the same technique on his Till Dej album only one year later. Must've been a Swedish thing (and Ramel and guitarist Kenny Hakansson played together prior). No matter, as the music behind it is splendid with superb guitar. Side 2 is all aces. Mostly a hard blues rock outing, that recall fellow countrymen November at the beginning of their career. The lengthy B1 is the highlight of the album for me. After this debut, the band would embrace more their "Swedishness". To great success I might add.

Ownership: 1971 Silence (LP)

3/27/11 (first listen); 11/18/17; 3/24/24 (review)

Elefanten (1977)

Elefanten is Kebnekajse's 5th album and represents a wonderful return to form, after the somewhat middling African/world music affair Ljus fran Afrika. Elefanten is about as close to jazz rock as Kebnekajse would ever get. It's a particularly strong outing for guitarist Kenny Håkansson, who lights it up everywhere he can. Also worth noting the strong violin play from Mats Glenngård adding the folk touch one would expect to hear on an earlier Kebnekajse album. This is a very fine work, that for whatever reason isn't as highly revered as I would expect. I think it's their best album along with their self-titled second.

Ownership: 1977 Silence (LP)

1994 (first listen); 12/4/10 (review); 9/18/18

Ljus Från Afrika (1976)

Light from Africa sees Kebnekaise moving from the comforts of home and trying their hand at a completely other style. This is a pioneering world music effort, pre-dating even Embryo's attempts. I'm not too keen on it myself, but one has to admire their spirit of exploration.

Former ownership: 1976 Silence (LP) 

12/4/10 (review)

8/13/17 (new entry)