Pop Workshop ~ Sweden

Song of the Pterodactyl (1974)

Pop Workshop were an all-star fusion band that included Janne Schaffer, Mads Vinding, Tony Williams, and Polish luminaries associated with a one Michal Urbaniak (and where two of these compositions will end up on his Fusion III album a year later). Strong overtones of Mahavishnu Orchestra era fusion and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters funk - with some Coltrane-ish sax. A nice mix of fusion / jazz / funk and not too far removed from another Swedish based international jazz rock ensemble: Ablution (minus the Santana influence perhaps). For those that like the early 70s jazz fusion sound, this album will most certainly be well received.

Ownership: 1974 Midnight Sun (LP). Like their debut, this album was pressed for the domestic market and for "export". Honestly I think the only difference is the label name is in English. No legit reissues exist as of 3/6/25.

1/11/19 (review)

Vol. 1 (1973)

On the same label (Grammofonverket) as the much recommended Ibis album, Pop Workshop are clearly a band operating in the raw jazz rock category (rather than fusion). Founded by two prominent Polish jazz members on keyboards and sax, Pop Workshop - over the course of both albums - features marquee name players such as guitarist Janne Schaffer, drummer Tony Williams, and bassist Mads Vinding. This is definitely music of the underground, and fans looking for slick fusion will have to look elsewhere. I would say Ablution - another international band based in Sweden - is probably the closest comparison here. Vol. 1 finishes particularly strong with 'Equivalent in Nature' and 'Perfect Touchdown', both tracks arguably the best on the album - and certainly the most heavy and (relatively) radical.

Ownership: 1973 Midnight Sun (LP). This version was made for "export". Guessing Grammofonverket wasn't a name grabbing English buyers. But it was only a label name after all. In any case, seems to have been a short lived experiment, and entirely unnecessary. Still no reissues exist as of this update (3/6/25)

7/5/14 (review); 9/14/18 (update)

9/14/18 (new entry)