September 27, 2018

Sulo Karlsson is well known as the frontman of Swedish glam boogie rockers Diamond Dogs and lead singer in the UK Punk supergroup The Crunch, featuring members from The Clash, Sham 69 and Cockney Rejects. But he’s also probably the most productive and creative singer/songwriter in modern times. Been writing and releasing 5 albums (!) per year since 2008 for himself and other artists in almost any kind of genre. Punk, Pop, Soul, Country and Rock n Roll it doesn’t matter, Sulo’s is literally everywhere!

Even if last years gifted Rock n Roll album “Sulo’s Full English”, containing 19 tracks with guest performances from Chris Spedding, Wilko Johnson, Robert Wyatt etc., was impressive, Sulo managed to top that. This double deal is a songwriter at the top of his game.

“Night Shift” is a dark, melancholic almost acoustic ride into the depths of the soul. With naked, strong and sometimes painful lyrics on a bed of blue colored melodies Sulo manages to create a new musical landscape. He says “It’s a musical diary of the things that keeps you awake at night, at study of the darkness within”.

“Brilliant Outsiders” is Sulo’s most ambitious work so far. Together with producer Kevin Porée he’s been writing and recording 13 country duets. It all started with the song “Constant Reminder”, written and recorded at Berry Street studio in London before recording the vocals with duet partner Maria Mckee in LA. Then followed a musical journey around the world, London, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Nashville, Florida etc. The line of duet partners are extraordinary with Janis Ian, Terry Reid, Bellamy Brothers, Linda Gail Lewis (Jerry Lees sister), Paul Young and more. Backed up by UKs finest Country band Los Pacaminos including Jamie Moses (Queen, Tom Jones band), Hamish Stuart (Average White band, Paul McCartney etc).

Those two albums together make an amazing collection of songs. 27 tracks with such high quality music and lyrics that you can’t help wonder how it’s possible. A double album for the lonely nights, early mornings and the long drive home.