Short Reviews [Kerrs Pink - 1981 - "Mellom Oss"]

Kerrs Pink are a Norwegian band who have been going in one form or another since 1972, although there have been multiple line-up changes and gaps when the band have not been active. ‘Mellom Oss’ was their second album, originally released in 1982, and it has now been remastered and made available as part of the Norske Albumklassikere series, a crowdfunded label which reissues classic Norwegian albums. Note, there was a version of this album released by Musea in 1992 with additional tracks, but here we have the original seven. The band at the time were Harald Lytomt (guitars, flute) (who is still with the band to this day), Jostein Hansen (bass, guitars, vocals), Halvard Haugerud (keyboards, bass, vocals), Tore Fundingsrud (drums) and Trond Bohn( keyboards, guitar – who only played on two tracks before leaving). They also had a few guests in Kirsten Hognestad Bohn (vocals), Lars-Thore Lande (bass), Trygve Lahn (violin) and Chris Dankel, family and friends (handclaps and chorus). As with all releases from this label this is in a nice gatefold which maintains the original front and rear of the vinyl release (1000 pressed), along with plenty of information about the band and the context of this album. Sadly for me, this is all in Norwegian so makes no sense to me at all so I had best concentrate on the music. They are widely compared with Camel, and one can certainly hear why as there is the same languorous approach with some lovely Latimer-style guitars, and it certainly does not come across as being self-recorded in their own studio. It has also aged well in that while one would guess this as possibly being from the late Seventies as opposed to early Eighties, it is still incredibly enjoyable. This is not a difficult album to listen to, and the use of female vocals in certain places gives the music a very different feel indeed, as does the move to acoustic guitar at times. Folk prog is probably a good place to categorise this album, with gentle flute certainly adding a certain ambience. It is an album to be savoured and enjoyed, to be relaxed into. I don’t believe I have heard any of their other albums, the most recent of which was released only a few years ago, but I am intrigued to know if they have kept with this style as this is certainly very pleasant and pastoral, yet with nice proggy elements as well. All power to those who funded this reissues as this has been quite a discovery for me.