KHARMA (Göran Edman) – Wonderland [Japanese Edition +1] *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

The story of Swedish band KHARMA began in the ’80s between guitar player and producer Dragan Tanaskovic and talented vocalist / songwriter Göran Edman. With both busy on several projects, their demo work on their songs encompassed all the 90s until at the end of the decade KHARMA made a deal with MTM Music GmbH for the long delayed debut album.
Titled ”Wonderland”, KHARMA 2000’s debut CD features some of Sweden’s finest musicians; keyboardist Atilla Szabo, bass player Joel Starander, drummer Imre Daun, and special guest ivory-master Mats Olausson (former Edman bandmate in the Yngwie Malmsteen band) rounding out the line up.
This is the Japanese edition, including the worthy bonus track for Japan ‘Cold As Ice’.

KHARMA’s ”Wonderland” is one of the most energetic and highly original AOR / Melodic Rock albums we heard. Its title says it all. Certainly it is one of the most innovative releases from the genre, ever. Funny that I should say that this is innovative and original given that the music is almost entirely influenced by the past and the stalwarts of this genre of music like Queen, Deep Purple, Styx, Kansas and Journey.
But the band in their own unique way have taken the best of these iconic acts and made it their own in a tribute to the foundations of classic rock. There is a real buzz of energy listing to this album. One has to have an appreciation for the more over the top pomp and ceremony of ’70s rock to understand how good this really is. But even if you are a late 80s or early 90s kid, then the freshness of these songs should be enough to involve you in them.
Not only is there plenty of guitar and keyboards, but horns, percussion, brass and more backing vocals & harmony layers that one could hope for. And Göran Edman delivers one of the best performances from his illustrious career.

Free Yourself opens with a intense mix of guitar, Hammond organ, brass and keyboards. Fantastic! An breezy uptempo feel good rocker that sounds like classic Paradise Theater era Styx.
Title track Wonderland is intro’d by a thick Hammond organ sound and tight instrumental mix. Goran is in major Dennis DeYoung mode, in another feel good uptempo song who’s verse features that grand piano sound that Styx employed so well and chorus is so over the top. Majestic soaring multi-layered vocals drenched in organ and guitar. More of Styx and Kansas at their best. The sound and production is so good it’s scary.

Knowing You is a more straight ahead guitar driven number that reeks of the intro to Journey’s Stone In Love. Wonderful! The songs stays on the format until the once again multi-layered 70s pomp chorus. A really uptempo feel good pop rocker and Foreigner influenced vocal.
Forever is the fist big power ballad of the album. Darker, orchestrated and dramatic, just like those classic ballads of the 70s. Dennis DeYoung in the verse, turns to Freddy Mercury in the chorus. This song could have been lifted from just about any Queen album. The vocals have the same dramatic effect of Who Wants To Live Forever for example.

In Chains is one of the more musically original songs of the album. A heavy, midtempo, keyboard driven track, with intense vocals and a darker guitar sound. Goran’s voice takes on some of his characteristics used on John Norum’s Total Control album.
Standing Alone returns to a more uplifting feel, while still fairly somber lyrically, this sounds a little more 80s and has another chorus drenched in harmony vocals. Part Time Lovers is- another original track with a softer verse, but a heavy chorus. A tip of the hat to Deep Purple, with the heavy use of organ and lead guitar.
Angel Eyes is a moody track, with more Dennis DeYoung vocals in the verse. The chorus is a big soaring ballad with symphonic backing. Intense! Then with Ray Of Sunshine we have a fast paced uplifting track was needed about now and this track delivers. More 70s influences with a Jethro Tull inspired flute in use. We hear a chorus with similarities to Queen and then Styx.

Spell On You is heavy on guitar track with more Hammond runs and 70s feel. A really solid thump to the rhythm section and quite an ardent song. Don’t Close Your Eyes is another highlight of this terrific album. An equal mix of originality, Foreigner & Kansas and a killer keyboard filled chorus. And awesome vocal parts.
Hold On is a straight hard rockin’ number, an uptempo European style rocker to provide variation, that while simple, it’s different to the rest of the material presented so far. Wings Of History has a very cool slow intro with moody keyboard feel and haunting vocal. A power ballad with a chorus that is Queen / Extreme all over. A dark and sentimental song.

Cold As Ice is the Japan Only song, and a shame it wasn’t part of the international tracklist as it is a killer tune. Everyone should get this song as part of the album. This is a huge Deep Purple style bluesy hard rock anthem with a huge chorus and soaring vocals. The tempo is almost pedal to the metal and the album could have used this track two or three songs back, just to break up the intensity of the album. If you can get this Japanese pressing – go for it!

KHARMA’s ‘Wonderland [Japanese Edition +1]’ is a melodic rock release of the highest quality. The sound & mix on this album is second to none – kudos to Dragan Tanaskovic’s production, a recording made at his own Sweden-based top studio.
KHARMA isn’t your typical radio-friendly AOR – there’s a lot going on all over ‘Wonderland [Japanese Edition +1]’, a fascinating album plenty of top vocals, quality songwriting, and detailed production – a classic in the making and a cult album already. After all there are a lot of Styx, Kansas and Queen fans out there…
Highly Recommended

Ｍａｒｑｕｅｅ ／ Ａｖａｌｏｎ
【ＭＩＣＰ～10171】

01 – Free Yourself
02 – Wonderland
03 – Knowing You
04 – Burn Forever
05 – In Chains
06 – Standing Alone
07 – Part Time Lovers
08 – Angel Eyes
09 – Ray Of Sunshine
10 – Spell On You
11 – Don’t Close Your Eyes
12 – Hold On
13 – Wings Of History
BONUS TRACK FOR JAPAN:
14 – Cold As Ice

Lead and Backing Vocals – Göran Edman
Guitar – Dragan Tanaskovic
Bass – Joel Starander
Drums, Percussion – Imre Daun
Keyboards, Piano, Organ, Backing Vocals – Atilla Szabo
Keyboards, Organ, Piano – Mats Olausson (tracks: 3 to 5, 9, 10, 13)

out of print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/MICP-10171