Honestly I wasn't too impressed with the sole LP from San Michael's (also reissued in 2009 by Transubstans). But
this archival recording of their second album from 1972 shows
considerable improvement. Here the arrangements are more sophisticated,
the instruments (especially the Hammond organ, electric guitar, bass,
flute, and horn section) are allowed more latitude, and the album is
definitely geared towards the burgeoning progressive rock movement,
rather than the bubblegum orientation of their California label album.
Of course, it should come as no surprise to us, since San Michael's is
the root system for none other than Kaipa - who themselves later spawned
The Flower Kings (which begat Kaipa's own reunion, and is still active
as I write this). And while San Michael's clearly hadn't shed
its pop orientation, most of these short tracks are still quite complex
in their own right.
The reason the album wasn't released in its
day was due to the bankruptcy of the California label, and the
unwillingness of any other label (major or minor) to sign them. They
were about 2 years ahead of their time for Swedish audiences, but no
doubt a band as majestic as Trettioariga Kriget would have lent an ear
to this group while touring throughout the land.
CD: 2009 Transubstans
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