Pre-history: On October 21, 1984; Bengt Nordström documented his special version of Charlie Parker´s Now´s The Time playing clarinet with his group Milövårdsverket. That original unique date had no less than three bass players and was recorded at Fasching in Stockholm and was included in the album Now´s The "Frippe" Time, Dragon Records DRLP 82 released 1985. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaKEXDW3t5o)

History: Two years later this other (track 7) one bass only version released here of that title-track was recorded live in another concert at the Scharinska Villan, Umeå, Sweden on March 19 1987 at the same gig when tracks 1-3 were recorded. Tracks 4 and 5 are "field-recorded" by Peeter Uuskyla while performing at Frölunda Kulturhus, Göteborg on March 6, 1988. Track 1-5 were also released as CREATIVE ADDITION by Jan Ström on Ayler Records aylDL-116 in 2008.


The legend of Bengt Nordström, Frippe (1936-2000) tells how he picked up the clarinet and the saxophone after being deeply touched by the music of Tony Scott and Sonny Rollins.
Then meeting Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler changed his musical vision; so much that he no longer fit into the contemporary jazz scene in Sweden. Frippe spoke of a spontaneous, improvised, creative music at a time when everyone else was trying to master bebop. Because of this, he was left to play alone for many years. He became "the outsider"; that nobody wanted, or had the nerve to play with. During intermissions at clubs, like the "Golden Circle", he took the opportunity to play small solo concerts and recorded himself.

He released small editions of his work on his own "Bird Notes" label. Although the recordings were mostly solo sax, on rare occasions, he was joined by Don Cherry on trumpet, bassist Sven Hessle or bassist Björn Alke who would show up to play duets with Frippe. His collection had two releases: Albert Aylers; "Something Different!!!!!! and Frippes own; "Natural Music". The other recordings were not numbered or catalogued but were released as LPs and EPs.

It was not until the mid-70s that Bengt Frippe Nordström formed his band, the "Miljövårdsverket" (the Environmental Control Office). After some years of trying different constellations, the musicians, bassist Björn Alke (1938-2000), violin player Lars Svanteson (b. 1949) and Peeter Uuskyla (b. 1951), became established as a "working unit" and cut the albums "Now's The Frippe Time" (Dragon Records), "The Environmental Control Office" (Ayler Records), "Frippe's Protocol" (Ayler Records) and "Creative Addition" (Ayler Records)

Other Recordings with Bengt Frippe Nordström:
Don Cherry: Movement Incorporated (Anagram Records)
Arthur Doyle/Sunny Murray: Live At Glenn Miller Café (Ayler Records)
Svensk Jazzhistoria vol.10: Watch Out! Swedish Jazz 1965-1969 (Caprice)
Meaningless (Blue Tower Records)
Sounds (Blue Tower Records)
G L Unit: Orangutang (EMI-Odeon)