EGBA ~ Sweden

Jungle-Jam (1976)

---Mar 2006

They don’t play drums like this anymore! And that’s a shame, because this guy propels what could’ve been a garden variety US sounding jazz fusion album. But this being Sweden and all, we have that unique flavor that comes from not seeing the sun four months of the year. Seven piece group lets it all hang out on these ten energetic compositions. Wah-wah and flute groovers too! For my dead president, better than the more recognized Swedish group Kornet. Naturally no CD exists as is typical for the more jazz influenced bands of the progressive era. Somewhere between Return to Forever and an instrumental Mandrill.

---10/6/25

And here we are almost 20 years later, and the reissue situation remains the same. For whatever reason, interest in jazz oriented CDs is pretty much nil. Even marquee artists like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock don't command more than a couple of bucks in the used market.

No matter as the LP remains cheap, and this is only my second listen to mine. Sax and trumpet are the primary solo instruments, with electric piano, clavinet, guitar, and flute as the secondary supplements. In my original review I was implying, but did not explicitly state, the funk element that is fairly prevalent. It was less to my taste back then and I enjoy that sound more today. Perhaps not a fair assessment, but I tend to appreciate more the American bands that incorporate the style. It's more cultural than imitation that is to say. The fiery fusion bits, however, seem more native to Europe. And there's plenty of that here too. EGBA have a global focus and you'll hear African and Latin influences as well. These latter styles were quite prevalent in Sweden during the 70s.

While it remains true that Jungle-Jam doesn't break any new ground, it is a very well executed album. A nice way to spend close to 50 minutes with.

Ownership: 1976 Sonet (LP)

3//06 (acquired / review); 10/6/25 (update)
 

EGBA (1974)

EGBA were a Swedish jazz / rock group with emphasis on the former. Nice flute, electric / acoustic piano, and jazz-tone guitar - all within the confines of tightly arranged compositions. Some African influences foreshadow what Archimedes Badkar would eventually come to on Tre. Longest track contains a funk rave-up with fiery solos from sax, guitar, and electric piano. This copy includes a live cut with a distinctly Latin jazz vibe with quite a bit of solo percussion. 

Recently learned that EGBA is an acronym meaning Electronic Groove & Beat Academy.

Source: cd-r

2006 (review); 8/4/19 (update)

No reissues for either as of 10/6/25. EGBA went on to release seven more albums through the 80s, and one additional album in 2004. If I find them, I'll be sure to check them out.

8/4/19 (new entry)