(This review first appeared in issue #62 of Shindig! magazine.)
Ace
CD
Sweden in the 1960s had
yet to prove itself as an international pop force yet this
compilation shows it had a wealth of home-grown talent waiting in the
wings to help its exportation of pop rival that of Volvo. The
collection kicks off with a track apiece from pre-ABBA Agnetha and
Anni-Frid before expanding into lesser known femme-pop territory.
It's a stylistic smorgasbord ranging from funky soul grooves, breezy
MOR, sassy girl group sounds to street-smart contemporary pop.
Sweden's pop industry
clearly took its cues from Britain and the US as shown by a heavy
reliance on covers: 'Summertime', 'Love Grows (Where My Rosemary
Goes)', 'Gimme Little Sign', 'Music To Watch Girls (Boys?) By' and
more are all given a Swedish language makeover. While some tracks may
have had a whiff of cash-in at the time they sound remarkably fresh
and spirited now. Proof the Swedes had much to offer before ABBA
mania.
