Bengt Berger -- Bitter Funeral Beer

[Gerardo A]

I've always been interested in this album but for some reason I've never gotten around to hear it. I've seen the LP for sale a couple of times, and I'm sure it's an easy find on SLSK. I saw today that Brian O listed it among his 100 favorite records in IHM, so it piqued my interest. Can anyone describe how it sounds? For some reason I always associated it with the Don Cherry recordings of that period (I know Cherry plays there); is that so?

[Brian Olewnick]

It's basically a Norwegian (I think? maybe Swedish) ensemble, heavy on the percussion but also with horns, guitars, etc., well-versed in West African songs and rhythms. They do traditional pieces and some originals that are heavily indebted to West African music with Cherry as the main soloist. Several of the pieces are incredibly catchy and Cherry's near the top of his game.

Along with Conference of the Birds and Garbarek's "Witchi-Tai-To", probably my favorite ECM jazz recording (though "jazz" in this case, might be arguable).

[Gerardo A]

Cool, thanks man, I'll get it and report back. By the way I just posted my list at that IHM thread; I think yours is the one there I easily relate with.

[Simon Fay]

A super date. I understand that BB's 'Praise Drumming' from 1986 is also great (not heard any other dates by him). It should be readily available from Munich HQ, IIRC.