Splash ‎– Ut På Vischan (1972, LP, Sweden)

Tracklist:
A1. Jag Minns Min Gröna Dal (5:19)
A2. Jag Drömmer Om En Annan Värld (6:16)
A3. Stormen (4:34)
A4. Ut Pa Vischan (3:58)
B1. Frihet (3:01)
B2. Spelmannen Och Forskarlen (6:51)
B3. Var Dröm (3:47)
B4. Smutsig Jord (4:59)

Musicians:
Christer Holm - saxophone, clarinet, bassoon
Christer Jansson - guitar, violin, vocals
Gösta Rundqvist - organ, piano
Håkan Lewin - saxophone, flute
Jan Erik Westin - drums
Kaj Söderström - bass, vocals
Leif Halldén - trumpet
Lennart Löfgren - trombone

Splash was a band founded in Söderhamn 1969, initially with a strong influence from Blood Sweat &Tears and similar acts, but their music grew increasingly intreresting by each album. Their debut however was an unremarkable self-produced single in 1972, ”Gobby's Train” b/w ”Way Up North”. Their full length debut followed later the same year and they soon earned a dedicated following in Norway, Belgium and former Czechoslovakia.

Signing to Polydor, Splash benefitted from the higher production values after the relatively primitive debut single. ”Ut på vischan!” is competent in every regard. It has a few prog moves, but has vague hints at Kebnekajse styled folk harmonics on the best track ”Smutsig jord” (with some appealing guitar work). But there's no mistaking early Splash was a horn rock band at heart, with ”Ut på vischan!” sounding like a poor man's Solar Plexus. It ought to please genre fans but others should listen before paying the relatively high prices asked for the album, and better yet, look out for their later albums.

Splash ‎– Orangutang Boomerang / Sunday Ride (1974, 7" LP, Sweden)

Tracklist:
A1. Orangutang Boomerang (5:06)
B1. Sunday Ride (5:41)


1974 also saw the release of two Splash seven inches. The first of them featured more Uriah Heep heaviness on ”Orangutang Boomerang”, backed with the rather excellent ”Sunday Ride”, with lyrics by German born Swede Linus Kal X Blue (who made garage rock history with Something Wild's ”Trippin' Out” 45 in 1966). The second 1974 Splash single was recorded as a backing band to the incredibly annoying folk singer Maritza Horn.

Splash ‎– Splash (1974, LP, Sweden)

Tracklist:
A1. Karottorokokrockokrokorock (Elephant Nilson) (20:55)
B1. Tiokronorspolkan (6:48)
B2. Sambahmadu (13:45)

Musicians:
Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon – Christer Holm
Bass Trombone, Flugelhorn – Lennart Löfgren
Bass, Vocals – Kaj Söderström
Drums – Henrik Hildén
Guitar, Violin, Vocals – Christer Jansson
Piano, Organ, Synthesizer [Mini-moog], Violin, Vocals – Thomas Jutterström
Piccolo Flute, Flute, Alto Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Torbjörn Carlsson
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Leif Halldén


Splash's self-titled second album from 1974, takes the band from their American horn rock styled debut, and stretches out into 3 lengthy tracks. It gives us the listener a what-if scenario as to what Chicago Transit Authority might have sounded like were they part of the European jazz underground rather than held hostage to commercial aspirations and AM/FM radio demands. Of the 3 aforementioned pieces, the highlight for me is the near 14 minute closer 'Sambahmadu', with its intriguing mix of Latin styled jazz rock and Asiatic themes. (ashratom)

Splash ‎– Splash (1978, LP, Sweden)

Tracklist:
A1. Variations On Polska & Hoppvals (8:02)
A2. Nina (8:58)
B1. Snusa (8:21)
B2. El Greco (7:48)
B3. Hueä (5:19)

Musicians:
Bass Trombone – Lennart Löfgren
Bass, Guitar – Kaj Söderström
Cover – Per Gunnarsson
Drums – Gus
Guitar, Violin – Christer Jansson
Keyboards – Thomas Jutterström
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Leif Halldén
Woodwind – Christer Holm, Torbjörn Carlsson


On "Splash 2", the group has moved from standard pop rock structures to an improvisational jazz rock unit. I hesitate to use the word "fusion" here, as they clearly weren't emulating the usual suspects like Return to Forever or Weather Report. And at times they have that college level stage band type tightness. There's also a little bit of silliness calling out their Zappa influence (not to mention some fine guitar soloing). And even a little dancing around the barn music to open the album. (ashratom)