Biography
Himlaväsen originated in 1978 when session musician Sven Fridolfsson assembled the ensemble, which at first operated chiefly as a Blues Brothers tribute act distinguished by uniform black suits and sunglasses. Their debut album signaled a departure from straightforward imitation. Although Hip Bop’s artwork preserved multiple visual references to the Blues Brothers, the music leaned more toward polished West Coast grooves and funk than toward soul or R&B. Entirely instrumental, the record nevertheless produced a radio hit with “Walkin On.”
Later releases introduced additional soul influences and three vocal numbers performed by Frank Ådal and Bryan Duncan. Restrained production choices, however, consistently failed to convey the drive of the funky material—a shortcoming that persisted across the band’s career, yielding strong live performances yet only middling studio results. Their focus on church venues and religious events kept wider audiences out of reach.
Bluesmobile appeared in 1994, its title another explicit nod to the Blues Brothers; the group continued wearing black suits and sunglasses onstage. Brothers followed in 1995, again invoking the same reference, even though the music had moved well beyond Blues Brothers territory after the first album. Coverage stayed largely within the religious press, where notices were generally favorable yet noted the absence of further evolution.
Later releases introduced additional soul influences and three vocal numbers performed by Frank Ådal and Bryan Duncan. Restrained production choices, however, consistently failed to convey the drive of the funky material—a shortcoming that persisted across the band’s career, yielding strong live performances yet only middling studio results. Their focus on church venues and religious events kept wider audiences out of reach.
Bluesmobile appeared in 1994, its title another explicit nod to the Blues Brothers; the group continued wearing black suits and sunglasses onstage. Brothers followed in 1995, again invoking the same reference, even though the music had moved well beyond Blues Brothers territory after the first album. Coverage stayed largely within the religious press, where notices were generally favorable yet noted the absence of further evolution.
Albums
