San Michael`s - Nattag (Reissue) (1972/2009)

Swedish progressive classic from 1972 by pre-KAIPA band SAN MICHAELS featuring Hans Lundin. "Nattåg" is the bands never before release 1972 album, remastered and with full band history by Tobias Pettersson (Encyclopedia of Swedish Progressive Music 1967 - 1979) and lots of never seen photos.

Pre-Kaipa Swedish Psych/Progsters from Uppsala, featuring keyboardist Hans Lundin S:t Michael Sect.They released three singles of covers and original music between 1964-70, before dropping their unusual name for the much simpler San Michael's.Lundin was surrounded at the time by Thomas Eriksson (bass, flute, vocals), Gunnar Westbergh (drums, percussion) and Nane Kvillsäter (bass), releasing their eponymous debut on the California label in 1971.Not much of prog interest, but the recordings of a second album the following year -which was never released- showed shades of a proggier attitude.The tapes were collected by Transubstans Records and released as ''Nattåg'' in 2009.The tracks remain song-based with some poppy influences and a certain Psych Pop flavor, but the overall approach shows a band in progress, the instrumental parts are much more dense, Lundin's Classical training comes often in evidence through the omnipresent organ waves and the guitar work sometimes sounds very quirky.Lots of changing tempos and sweet melodic themes combine with well-worked polyphonic arrangements for a certain Art Rock keystone.The music is as memorable as hell, it only lacks the full transformation into a Prog band.San Michael's history came to an end in 1973, when Westbergh left the band.The three remaining members continued to work together as Ur Kaipa, before dropping it for the legendary Kaipa name, giving birth to one of finest Swedish Prog groups of the 70's.(apps79)