Search - Kaipa :: Kaipa

Entrancing

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 12/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like many other US listeners, my journey to Kaipa came via Roine Stolt and the Flower Kings because this is where it all began for Stolt.

I notice that in a review of another pressing of this CD, one reviewer seemed to complain that the band sings in Swedish. Well, they are from Sweden, and this CD was originally aimed at the home market, so one would certainly not expect to hear them singing in Urdu. Another reviewer said to skip "this outfit" and just go listen to Stolt's output with the Flower Kings. Well, I disagree with him as well.

When you hear this CD for the first time remember first that the musicians were very young AND that this was issued at the dawn of prog. Had this been originally issued in the era of the internet, it would have been an international hit. I find the music quite entrancing and enjoy listening to it for hours on end.

The whole CD is excellent, but to me the best songs are Ankaret; the lovely Skogspromenad with organ reminiscent of the style of Procol Harum's Matthew Fisher, and the very jazzy Forlorad I Istanbul which is really quite a stunning piece of music in the context of its time.

Kaipa is still around today, having reformed sans Roine Stolt, and is making some excellent modern prog records. But if you want to hear some great music most North Americans missed in the seventies, start with this and work your way through the band's catalogue. Those who enjoy hearing something very original and quite refreshing will surely enjoy this first effort by Kaipa."