Ablution ~ Sweden

Ablution (1974)

Jazz rock/fusion was all the rage in Sweden in the early 1970s. In addition to the indigenous groups, there was quite a bit of "supergroup" activity, with Sweden operating as a host / safe harbor country, including those from behind the Iron Curtain. Pop Workshop may be the most known of the names, but Ablution may have been the most successful and fiery of the bunch.

Ablution features no less than seven members playing organ, electric guitar, multiple percussion, Rhodes, Clavinet, trumpet, piano, bass, and drums. Highlights include Janne Schaffer laying down some of the hottest licks of his career while Bjorn J:Son Lindh's flute soars over the thunderous percussion below. Reference points include early 70s "electric" Miles (without trumpet as the lead), Herbie Hancock (especially the funk bits), as well as Santana near the time of Lotus (guitar/percussion overload).

Ownership: 1974 CBS (LP)

No reissues exist as of 3/25/25.

9/25/09; 1/13/20 (new entry)