10 tracks, 42 minutes

Listen to: “Äventyr i alperna”, “Postmodernism”
Reviews of “Orgelplaneten”
Release date: May 2004

Just half a year since “Allt hänger samman” and the fourth album from Sagor & Swing, “Orgelplaneten” (“The Organ Planet”) is here. The energy has been turned up quite a bit. This more energetic side of their sound has been showing a whole lot during their concerts, but this is the first time that it has been captured on record, as a document of how the duo have sounded live. It also stands out from their three earlier records by adding Moog and accordion to the usual setup of organ and drums.

A more playful and joyous atmosphere runs through the record. Many of the songs e.g. “8-bitarspolskan” and “Äventyr i Alperna” have an electronic sound reminiscing of synthesizer experiments á la Jean Jacques Perrey. “Distro” and “Postmodernism” are both full-on instrumental pop songs while “Smedjebacken by night” echoes of lazy hotdog-stand reggae. But the fairyland-music and Sagor & Swing’s unmistakable touch is still there, just below the surface.

This album marks the end for Sagor & Swing. Echoes and shadows will certainly turn up in the future, but “Orgelplaneten” is the final record from the group as we remember them.

Personnel: Eric Malmberg: organ, Moog, accordion; Ulf Möller: drums

Tracks: 1. Henriks födelsedagsmelodi, 2. Äventyr i alperna, 3. 8-bitarspolskan, 4. Rymden på 50-talet, 5. Distro, 6. Smedjebacken by night, 7. Postmodernism, 8. Bora bora, 9. Baklängesvisa, 10. Idiom

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“So whatever instrumental groove you're into, there's something to put a smile on the face of everyone with one of the year's happiest releases. This is one "Organ Planet" I'd like to visit often…”
Rated 12/12, Jeff Penczak, Fakejazz

“Bless these Swedes. [...] With its glamorous sprinkling of pop and R&B textures, Sagor & Swing have turned out an enigmatic and excellent album.”
Casey Rea, Dusted Magazine

“Was this a calculated move? Orgelplaneten's release was accompanied by the announcement that it would be Sagor & Swing's last album, but instead of reflecting on the past it marked a drastic change in direction and, thanks to a music livelier than ever, it seemed to aim at preventing any tears from their fans. The first big difference introduced on Orgelplaneten is an expansion of the group's instrumentation. While the first three albums stuck exclusively to Hammond organ and drums, this swan song also features accordion and Moog synthesizer (all performed by organist Jan-Erick Malmberg), plus a wider use of studio effects. The second difference is in the mood: the dreamy, pastoral hymns of yore are all but gone, replaced by upbeat, kitschy tunes that will delight or annoy, depending on your resistance to naive instrumental music. The whimsical melodies of Perrey & Kingsey's first LP, The In Sound From Way Out!, immediately come to mind (minus the novelty aspect of their music), along with Björn Olsson's solo material. All that being said, Orgelplaneten ("The Organ Planet," in case you wonder) remains 100 percent Sagor & Swing. One immediately recognizes Ulf Müller's skeletal drumming and Malmberg's melodic approach and rich, textural organ playing. Tracks like "Henriks Födelsedagsmelodi" and "Äventyr i Alperna" would feel right at home on any of the previous three albums if they were performed on organ and drums alone. On the other hand, "Postmodernism" and "Bora Bora," among others, take a brand new direction, a cross between French yéyé, West Coast surf, and Scandinavian folk. Some of these tunes swing hard, something their previous trilogy never even hinted at. This is one joyous curtain call. Highly recommended.”
Rated 4/5, François Couture, All Music Guide