THE SWEDISH MUSIC CELEBRATION PROJECT!

Its often said amongst great philosophers that Swedish music is rarely given the credit its proper dues. Well, not really but other than a whole lot of bloglove Swedish music rarely receives the proper respect it deserves. Swedish musicians are often ahead of the game. Light years ahead of the game. Whether its the schlager divas of Eurovision, the electronic musings of The Knife and Isabel Guzman or the rapping of Neneh Cherry and Swingfly "Swedepop" always makes you dance, chant and remember the well-toned melodies. As I was buttering my bread, I was thinking there really should be an act that celebrates Swedish pop music. Yes, there was A-Teens and their first album and the West End Girls who cover the British Pet Shops Boys which doesn't illustrate my point but you get the gist. I am envisaging of an pop act who do very unique covers of Swedish hits!

The first issue would be who be in the act to perform the songs. I am thinking of a number of singers who've had experience on the stage but would like to return to the spotlight. My thoughts? The girls B-Tween or Jonah Hedqvist joined by MissMatch? All of them have proven themselves more than ready to take on such a mammoth project. At the helm of production would be Gustav Efraimsson who has actually worked with B-Tween in the past but also the Spanish legend Edurne. What are your thoughts? Darin with Shirley Klamp? Odd but possible! A super pop girlband consisting of NG3 with Lucky Twice? A trinity of women in the form of an electronic alternativo italolush group helmed by Marit Bergman, Linda Sundblad and Sally Shapiro?

Production-wise, how about involving the same people behind September and Lucky Twice? The delightful team that is Catchy Tunes. Their moto is "hits only" and I truly believe they could work wonders on a Swedish classics album. What about doing something leftfield? Something acoustic? Or what of those Sister Love girls; they'd absolutely crank up the pop off the richter scale. What about involving the likes of the Attic, Eric Prydz and Armand Deluxe as key remix kings on the project?

I am asking readers of DSTP to suggest songs that this imagined band could record (please also suggest the membership for the band too!). I am asking you lot to imagine the production team. Can't forget about them for they'll most probably define the soul and sound of the project. It doesn't have to be a Swedish team-you could involve Remee for example! However one rule. And its a toughie...the number of singers/songs which have links to Melodifestivalen or Eurovision must be restricted. Limit the ESC connections if possible. It can't be overloaded with songs written for Eurovision no matter how great they are: Swedish music is not just about a yearly song contest! It can be as mainstream or as alternative as you want. Hopefully as random as possible! The key thing is to celebrate Swedish classic pop songs...

• Okay my band!
• They'd consist of B-Tween or MissMatch & Jonah
• Production Teams: Gustav Efraimsson, Catchy Tunes, PlayProductions

Tracks:

1. Temptation-Originally by Arash
2. Life Is A Flower-Originally by Ace Of Base
3. Erase/Rewind-Originally by The Cardigans
4. Show Me Love-Originally by Robyn
5. Crucified-Originally by The Army Of Lovers
6. The Visitors-Originally by ABBA
7. All The Girls (Alla Flickor)-Originally by Linda Bengzting
8. Moving Up-Originally by Miio
9. Play It For the Girls-Originally by Danny
10. Fading Like A Flower-Originally by Roxette
11. On A Night Like This-Originally by Pandora
12. Buffalo Stance-Originally by Neneh Cherry
    

As you can see I've gone for the more mainstream approach with some rarer pop gems that never entered the international market (Linda and Miio for example). Perhaps with second album they could get a bit more experimental and go for an entire album full of Swedish classics that are amazing but remained in the domestic market. I'd love to hear your suggestions!