The Long Story Short..
Zambassa was formed in 1975 in Nykøbing Mors by local youngsters. Walter Steffen Nielsen (flute), Anders Nordentoft (guitar and violin); Kaare Sand (vocals and rhythm guitar); Knud Fladeland Nielsen (congas and percussion), Jørgen Ulrich Raunskov (bass), and Søren Monrad Jensen on drums.
Their debut album, “Mørkristet,” was released in 1978. The album was Latin inspired, with songs sung in Danish. The album received a great reception from Danish audiences and was popular on music radio stations across Denmark then. Songs like “Mange Spil,” where Kaare Sand sang a duet with the renowned singer Lis Sørensen -who also sang the tune “Du Si’r” in the album, became instant hits. Other popular songs from the album were “When we are together” and “Vardar.” Mørkristet was an album that encapsulated the energy and joy of the band, bringing the focus onto their spontaneity and freshness.
Their second album, “Forandring,” came in 1981. Like honoring its title, “Forandring,” which means “change” in Danish, the album proved to be a significant change for the band. Three new members joined. On bass was Kim Holst, and the band expanded with two additional singers: Lars Nielsen and Birthe Stokkebæk. This allowed more sophisticated choral arrangements for the now three singers, Kaare, Birte, and Lars.
The musical direction was also changed as Latin-inspired arrangements were replaced by more complex compositions. In addition, the band shifted to a more soul-inspired music style. Lars Nielsen was the primary influence behind the band’s stylistic change. The album meant the band’s development on a technical level, but this went at the expense of the spontaneity and energy displayed in their first release, “Mørkristet.”
Front and back covers
