Frippe – Review Inconstant Sol

Inconstant Sol, 20 January 2023

Here’s the result of a huge body of work over two decades by Mats Gustafsson and Thomas Millroth to collect, archive, research and document the work of their friend and Mats’ musical mentor, Bengt Nordström – a work of love and dedication to a singular artist.

The set includes the first re-release of Bengt’s Natural Music LP and the first release of music that he shared with friends in tiny runs of test pressings on his Bird Notes label (on 3 LPs, Drastic Plastic, Någonting and Reality). There’s a 7″ EP of Bengt playing solo with the Ornette Coleman Quintet record, When Will the Blues Leave?, (11/10 on the Discaholic Corner music/rarity scales). The set is completed musically with a 10″ tribute LP of performances by Anna Högberg, Isak Hedtjärn, Dror Feiler, Jörgen Adolfsson, Mats Gustafsson and Sven-Åke Johansson.

Mats has compiled the definitive Bird Note discography (in email after email, for so many years, he has been “working on it” – reaching out, meeting people, sharing recordings and knowledge, writing, proof reading, proof reading, proof reading …).

Co-produced by Mats and Thomas with Antoine Plum of Ni-Vu-Ni-Connu and designed by Teresa Iten, the set includes a booklet with contributions by Thomas, an essay by John Corbett, unpublished photography, rare press clippings and notes from the artist. Also, a streaming link to “FRIPPE, Bengt Nordström, Moderna Muséet, 1973-05-29”, a film by Torbjörn Ehrnvall.