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Burnin Red Ivanhoe was formed back in 1967, and that makes them one of the first scandinavian prog bands. Their style was quite original from the start, blending jazz-rock with R&B, blues, psychedelia etc.. Most of Burnin' Red Ivanhoe's albums have that certain scandinavian touch to it, similar to early 70's prog groups such as Wigwam, Culpeper's Orchard and Tasavallan Presidentti. In 1971, the band released the album "W.W.W.", which is probably a good place to start (for proggers), as it contains some of their most progressive and interesting work. The self-titled album they released in 1970 (another gem!), also contains the track "Secret Oyster Service", and quite soon after that, a new, even more jazz-orientated group was formed, called Secret Oyster.

The initial Polydor Abba CDs released in 1982 were only available in territories where PolyGram had the Abba licence but this was to change in 1983 as Polar entered the CD market. In reality, Polar’s entry into the CD market masked a simple case of outsourcing as PolyGram were simply asked to press up copies of their Abba titles with Polar catalogue numbers and packaging. While PolyGram would continue to supply their local markets with red coated Polydor CDs, Abba’s other European licencees would be sent the ‘Polar’ CDs.

Le frère de la saxophoniste Sophie Alour est un des trompettistes qui comptent désormais dans la jazzosphère, excellent lecteur, excellent soliste, il est de toutes les aventures orchestrées. Son premier album était donc très attendu et les plus impatients ne seront pas déçus. Pour ce W.I.L.L.I.W.A.W de facture classique, Julien Alour a réuni pour ce disque un quintet traditionnel : lui à la trompette et au bugle, François Theberge au saxophone ténor, Adrien Chicot au piano, Sylvain Romano à la contrebasse et Jean-Pierre Arnaud à la batterie. Toutes les compositions et les arrangements sont du leader. Tant qu'au titre, W.I.L.L.I.W.A.W, c'est le nom d'un vent turbulent et imprévisible qui descend par rafales des sommets glacés dans les régions extrêmes des Amériques. La musique est mélodique sans renier pour autant le swing et la niaque de ses ainés.

It has been six (very) long years, since Blackie Lawless and his mean muthafuckin’ metal-making machine by the name of W.A.S.P have warmed our collective ears with a new album…