Von Zamla

Title: "1983" (Cuneiform Rune 121) 　Von Zamla were founded in 1981 by Grammy Award-winning keyboardist/composer Lars Hollmer and guitarist Eino Haapala. Both were former members of Sweden's Samlas Mammas Manna, one of the "Rock In Opposition" [R.I.O.] movement's original five founding bands and one of the most popular bands during the '70s, Sweden's golden age of progressive music. Von Zamla released two albums during their lifetime: Zamlaranama (1981) and No Make Up (1983), neither of which was released outside of Sweden. The band toured Europe several times before disbanding after their 1985 tour. 　This CD, 1983, features professionally recorded, previously unavailable live recordings from Von Zamla's Spring 1983 European tour. The band considered this tour to be their most musically successful, and this recording captures them at their peak, playing songs from both of their studio albums along with additional treats. Von Zamla's melding of challenging music with toe-tapping melodies sounds as fresh now as when it was originally recorded. 　Van Zamla's members have long been noted for their great playing. In addition to the two co-leaders, Hollmer and Haapala, "1983" features performances by Michel Berckmans (Univers Zero member) on oboe and bassoon; a second keyboardist, Hans Loelv; Wolfgang Salomon on bass; and Marten Tiselius on drums. 　Von Zamla's 1983 features a cover by artist Tage 《Asen, who illustrated many of Samlas Mammas Manna's best known albums and produced many of their memorable archival photos. This album marks the first time that any Samla/Zamla related works have been released in the US. 　Fans of Von Zamla's predecessor band, Samlas Mammas Manna, may be interested in knowing that the Samlas have recently reformed, have released a new album, and are planning to tour the US in 2000. （資料提供：Cuneiform、増田さん＠POSEIDON)