In my teenage years my parents’ collection of jazz records became my main fodder before turning on to the likes of Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Leon Russell, Steely Dan and the fabulous Weather Report. Unfortunately, not many Icelandic counterparts could be referred to here except perhaps Mezzoforte, Iceland´s first international hit makers (Garden Party in 1982), the current local funk heroes Jaguar and, funnily enough, Sigur Rós, who can certainly be put in the Floyd bag.
My number one choice, Gaia, might surprise a few people. It is originally a soundtrack for a multimedia Viking exhibition, but done with a host of some of the world´s foremost musicians and stands up remarkably well. This is partly due to the classy touch of producer Eyþór Gunnarsson who managed to generate a great musical environment for Valgeir Guðjónsson´s infectious melodies. This record was released by New Age label Windham Hill in the States and is probably the only ´world music´ record that regularly makes it to my CD player.
1. Gaia
2. Sigurrós: Ágætis byrjun
3. Bubbi: Von (The Cuban Album)
4. KK & Ellen: Gleðifólkið
5. Gunnar Þórðarson: Debut solo album
6. Trúbrot: Lifun
7. Jagúar: Get the funk out
8. Quarashi: Debut album
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