"At the core of this quintet's repertoire are the standards on which every jazz artist, foreign or domestic, eventually must prove his mettle. To hear the Real Group swing their own transcriptions of big-band Basie classics, to hear them dispatch their harmonically plush version of Bill Evans' 'Waltz for Debby' [is] to marvel at their understanding of the nuances of this music." -Chicago Tribune
To our way of thinking The Real Group is the current jazz standard by which other groups must be judged. They are that good. Each of the members was admitted to The Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm where they met. The five formed the group in 1984. Since the beginning of their professional career they have sold more than 200,000 albums, performed more than 1,000 live shows and worked with great musicians like George Martin, Bobby McFerrin, Barbara Hendricks and Toots Thielemans. Generally they perform a cappella, but they have performed with symphony orchestras, big bands and choirs as well as other well known musicians.
In a way it isn't a surprise, looking backward that these five musicians would be superb in their singing, for they are all immensely talented. Margareta Jalkeus grew up in a musical family and began playing piano and singing at an early age. Since twelve she has played harp with such proficiency that her skills have been utilized by some famous orchestras, when she has time away from solo performance, that is. Katarina Stenstrom has been singing since she was eight years old. She played piano and studied cello for a while but it has been the vocals where her interests lie. She founded a band named Donna Lee which signed a contract with Polygram and has worked as a background vocalist for a number of Swedish artists. Anders Edenroth spent five years at The Royal Academy, planning to be a pianist. He met the group and became a singer instead. Anders Jalkeus was introduced to folk music by his parents and began to play the violin and piano at six years old. By the time he came to the Academy, he could play almost any instrument. At school his studies focused on singing and he graduated as a cantor. His vocal interests have also extended toward several choirs with whom he's worked. Peder Karlsson, who loves books as much as music, plays guitar, piano, and loves the violin. That is a lot of musical background in one group!
Since their first recording in 1987, which was totally self produced, they have produced seven albums for the Swedish market, one specifically for the U.S. market, Unreal, which takes several songs from prior releases, and one for the European market, Get Real, which does similarly. Their recordings first made their mark in the larger a cappella world in 1994. We can tell, for in 1995 they began winning an unprecedented string of CARA Awards with two that year, Best Contemporary Cover for "Dancing Queen" and Best Jazz Song for "Flight Of The Foo-birds." In l996 Margareta Jalkeus was awarded Best Female Vocalist. l997 was the year of The Real Group as far as CARAs go. They won Live Album of the Year, Best Original Pop Song, Best Jazz Song and Margareta won Best Female Vocalist for the second year in a row! Unreal! 1998 saw them win yet another award for Best Holiday Album.
It is our opinion that they are absolutely worthy of all the attention their performances and recordings have garnered.
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Bumble Bee |
When you’re good, you’re good and the Real Group are as fantastic as ever. Not only do they have some of the best voices in the business along with some of the most fascinating and creative arrangements they also sure know how to write a song! Here we are treated to a collection of original songs which absolutely demonstrate as to why few people would disagree with the statement that The Real Group is the most talented a cappella group performing today. The compositions are all in English, are all new and offer an array of styles including their classic sound on “Pass Me The Jazz” and “Flying High”, a country song “A Minute on Your Lips”, the vocalese “Gee! Mine or Moe’s Art?” (G Minor Mozart) and the beautiful ballad “Anna’s Song”. The delightfully intelligent lyrics are refreshing with “Modern Man” and “Nostalgia World” being particular standouts. Our opinion of this group grows with every listen as every track is a gem that you will want to savor over and over again.
Listen to "Pass Me The Jazz" in Real Audio.
| 4001 CD $19.95 |
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Håll Musiken Igång (Keep The Music Playing) |
The Real Group, since their formation 24 years ago, are one of the leading forces in the world of vocal harmony music. "Hall Musiken Igang" (Keep The Music Playing) is the group's 14th recording, a tribute to the legendary Swedish songwriter/artist Povel Ramel. Born in Stockholm to an aristocratic family, Povel Ramel studied piano and got an early start on his career as an entertainer and composer. His first revue, written at age 17, gave him a breakthrough as a composer, "Vart eget blue Hawaii." In 1944 came his first great hit, "Johansson's boogie woogie waltz" and his crazy humor on two radio programs brought him many fans. In the 1950s he developed, with 3 other great talents, a special type of revue, "Knapp-Upp," seen by 5 million people between 1952-62. The revues became more musical and satirized the styles of well-known Swedish composers. Several of Ramel's numbers from this period became classics. Musically these songs fit nicely into the Real Group's flawless, clean, vocal jazz sound, and are big fun to listen to, with samples, asides, faux horns and wonderful vocal percussion. Listen to "Johansson's Boogie Woogie Waltz," and you'll get the picture. The Real Group is one of the best vocal jazz groups we have ever heard, we have loved every one of their albums, and we love "Hall Musiken Igang!"
Listen to "Underbart Är Kort" in Real Audio.
| 3097 CD $19.95 |
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Prime Time Blues |
The A Cappella world is abuzz with the good news: the release of "The Middle of Life," The Real Group's much-anticipated new CD. Even better, "Life" is all new, all originals, all studio and all in English! Anders Edenroth writes the music and lyrics to "Prime Time Blues," a funky, saucy romp that features the title phrase and some state-of-the-art vocal percussion and mock horns, his "Words" is a lyrical, rhythmic masterpiece, "Friendship" has Anders singing a mellow, soaring lead, and his "The Grass Grows Greener" is an instant jazz standard with his voice adding a muted, precise tone. Peder Karlsson writes the understated, bluesy "Mister Father," his "Are You Coming To Me" is a salsa-flavored fiesta tune featuring Katarina on lead, "A Quiet Song" features Peder's slow, bluesy voice, and "Gota," featuring Peder and Katarina, has a simple, meandering melody that builds in intensity to symphonic proportions. Margareta Jalkeus writes "Spring Is Coming" and has a nice, soaring solo riff that becomes a dreamy scat sequence, and has a moody, mysterious lead on her "My Hidden World." Katarina Henryson writes "I Tried," shares writing credits with Anders on the ironic, pop-ish "A Perfect Life," and her bluenote alto on her "Given" is sweetly profound. So much talent here - we find ourselves listening to this CD again and again to appreciate just how far the a cappella envelope has been pushed, and comparing the genius and musical focus of the individual composers. Simply put, "The Middle of Life" is a masterpiece, an unexpected gift from Sweden to be unwrapped and savored on many levels!
Listen to "Prime Time Blues" and "Words" in Real Audio.
| 4610 CD $16.98 |
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Chili Con Carne (New version) |
Much like the Swedish release 'Allt Det Basta' this Korean import shows the Real Group at their best! It does have a few of the same titles, like the exciting new versions of 'Chili Con Carne,' 'Li'l Darlin' and their version of ABBA's 'Dancing Queen,' but it also has some other titles not previously presented on the same CD. Including 'Big Bad World,' 'I Sing You Sing,' the live version of 'Splanky,' the Beatles' classic 'Come Together,'and 'Bara Vi' to name a few! Focusing mostly on their contemporary tunes, this CD would be a great pick for a first time listener of this sensational Swedish vocal quintet!
| 4756 CD $19.98 |
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Stilla Natt |
The Real Group, glorious, award-winning mixed-voice a cappella vocal quintet from Sweden, has long been one of the most respected and admired artists of vocal harmony music. In Sweden they represent the highest of musical and artistic quality, regardless of genre, and have collaborated with many of Sweden's finest musicians. Year after year, the group ranks among our best sellers. "Christmas," their second Christmas album, is simply marvelous and reflects the ample talents in both singing and arranging that have made them one of our favorites. Several tracks are in English including a great live 8-minute "American Christmas Medley" ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Rudolf the Rednosed Reindeer," "Frosty the Snowman," "Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bells," "White Christmas" and a swinging, jazzy "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), plus John Lennon/Yoko Ono's "Happy Christmas," and a bluesy "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". Most songs arranged by the amazing Anders Edenroth. 14 tunes in all, 'Christmas' is a highly recommended holiday treat for all a cappella fans!
Listen to "Happy
Christmas" and "The
Big Juleblues" in Real Audio.
| 7635 CD $19.95 |
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Substitute For Life |
Sweden's Real Group began sixteen years ago, singing in Swedish. Subsequent recordings produced what some consider definitive versions of classic American jazz standards, as well as what became staples of the Real Group repertoire, such as "Chili Con Carne" and "Acappella in Acapulco." Their previous release, "One For All," saw the group focusing on original material, written in English. "Commonly Unique" continues the focus on self-written compositions, and though the unmistakable clarity and tone that instantly identifies their sound is there, this is just as much an adult contemporary record as it is jazz. The use of effects processing to enrich the sound, especially on the vocal percussion and bass, adds a modern edge and feel. "Substitute for Life," a commentary on the ill effects of television, melds a relentlessly cheery chorus with the dire incantation of the verse, all driven by an energetic trip-hop beat. "Thousand Things" will be a new Real Group classic, returning to warmly familiar jazz territory with an inspired melody and brisk tempo. The nuanced musing of "Stay" features a vocal trumpet, subtly marking the tonal landscape. Pretty ballads such as "Song Of Love," "Long Way To Go" and "Love And Let Go" are glossy pastiches, sweetly delectable and easy to digest. "Commonly Unique" is aptly titled, and will bring together both old and new fans of the most gifted a cappella vocal jazz group performing today.
Listen to "Thousand Things" in Real Audio.
| 4790 CD $15.98 |
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We're Five |
The Real Group have set a standard, indeed the standard, as the royalty of a cappella vocal jazz. From their youthful beginnings at the Academy of Music in Stockholm, where they acquired the prodigious technical expertise that has since become their trademark, to their current reign as best-selling recording artists, the Real Group has earned widespread recognition and acclaim. In keeping with this tradition, they have released "One For All," containing fourteen mostly original songs, written and sung in perfect English. "I Sing, You Sing," about that song that you just can't seem to get out of your head (and it makes you crazy!) has a simple melody that outlines the triads in bell-like tones; like a nursery rhyme, it is easy to remember and impossible to forget. The ethereal "Three Poems" adapts the verse of Emily Dickinson, the traditional "Vem Kan Segla Fvrutan Vind" features a harmonica solo that compliments the melancholy melody. "One Summer" is one example of many that illustrates why the group is so successful: perfect pitch and arrangements that challenge and cajole the ear combine to produce a sound without compare. This is the vocal jazz release of the year.
Listen to "Splanky" in Real Audio.
| 4399 CD $15.98 |
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Flight of the Foo-Brids |
Whee! "The Flight Of The Foobirds" is chock full of delicious scat, "A Cappella In Acapulco" is not only alliteratively alluring but it will have your feet tapping for sure. "A Child Is Born" is nothing short of unreal! Hmm, there's a recording title there somewhere. The vocal trumpet on that one tune is plenty of reason enough to listen to Unreal! about a hundred times. It doesn't seem possible. What we have here is one of two cds released only for the Canadian and U.S. markets which includes some of the very finest of The Real Group. In addition to the dozen tunes sung in English, there are two Swedish folk songs. No, no, neither the Beatles nor Hoagy Carmichael is Swedish but Anders Edenroth is, and shares three originals with us including the aforementioned "A Cappella In Acapulco."
Listen to "I've Found a New Baby" in Real Audio.
| 4394 CD $15.98 |
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It Don't Mean a Thing |
We can't start with superlatives when describing the Real Group's work. Our thesaurus isn't infinite. Suffice it to say that they are the premiere jazz a cappella group in Sweden. Well, maybe in Europe. Ok, ok, in the world. They open with a choral scat introduction as they launch into an upbeat "It Don't Mean A Thing." Stevie Wonder's "Sir Duke" never had it so good. Sweet and slow harmonious interplay is the texture of "When I Fall In Love." Don't drift off into a reverie because (pow!) here's the well known "Chili Con Carne," and so we are alternately jazzed and beguiled by a dozen great tunes, all in English.
Listen to " Sir Duke" in Real Audio.
| 4391 CD $19.95 |
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Splanky |
Wah-wah-wa-wa-wahao, and so we dive into the beginning of "Splanky," that classic of wordless scat with the driving jazz chords which usually need the accompaniment of a big band to be so effective. Yow! Ok, ok, lets quiet it down with the subtle vocal intertwining of "When I Fall In Love." And now give them a medium tempo, combo feeling, with "Good Bait." Thus a great performance takes the audience though successive tempo changes, moods, and by a recording lets those of us who never had the chance to see the live Real Group experience that. They are so polished that it is easy to forget this is live until the end of each song reminds us of the audience. Every Real Group fan should have this one.
Listen to "Waltz For Debby" in Real Audio.
| 4397 CD $15.98 |
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Alla talar med varandra |
When musicians totally create their own work rather interpret the songs others have written they naturally embellish their own harmonious strength. Thus it is on Original, in which the tunes are so naturally sung that they become as familiar as standards before they are finished the first time! That is the response of your enthusiastic reviewer who knows not a word of Swedish in which the songs are sung and the notes are written. There is a quiet beauty infusing this whole album which will beguile you into listening to it again and again.
| 4395 CD $15.98 |
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Stilla Natt |
Named "Best Holiday Album" at the 1998 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, "En Riktig Jul" is a gossamer-fine collection of thirteen songs, sung in Swedish. While only "Stille Nacht" (Silent Night) is recognizable to us non-Swedes, the mood requires no translation. The Real Group's sound integrates the smoothest jazz progressions into an adult contemporary motif, creating a tonal landscape of unsullied purity. The bell chords of "Sang Till Karl-Bertil Johnsson, 14 ar" segue into an understated lead, spotlighted against an arpeggiated backdrop of notes, melting as they fall..."Glans Over Sjo Och Strand" sounds like a hopeful hymn of possibility to the coming year, while "Fridfull Och Stilla?" uses binary form to create a musical oxymoron: a rapidly descending series of fifths, juxtaposed between a slow and deliberate 3/4 processional.
Listen to "Stilla Natt" in Real Audio.
| 4398 CD $15.98 |
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All Of Me |
This album is the first by The Real Group (recorded in 1987) as you might suspect from the title. It was recorded with two microphones straight to a two-track tape deck with no mix down. Amazing! They are already so good you won't realize that fact by the most critical listening. What dynamic balance! The original release was a vinyl edition of 2500. In 1995 that early recording was rereleased on cd and given the appropriate title, Debut. Of the thirteen tunes, three are sung in Swedish, while the rest are the types of familiar covers that we've come to expect, "All Of Me," "Misty," "Li'l Darlin'," "Night And Day," "As Time Goes By," "My Romance" and "Who Put The Bomp," among others. It's a must for anyone who is following the career of this extraordinary group.
| 4396 CD $15.95 |
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A Cappella i Acapulco |
As we join the Real Group this time we are treated to the Swedish version of Anders Edenroth's "A Cappella I Acapulco." Listen to the mouth popping percussion! Fabulous. On this album all the songs are sung in Swedish, which, for those of us who don't, is a perfect opportunity to just listen. No meaning to distract from sheer musical pleasure. Thus we are simply stunned by the impossibly beautiful vocal trumpet throughout "Somna Mitt Barn," hey wait a minute, is that a real trumpet? Even sans Swedish, the musical humor of "Styrman Karlssons üventyr Med Porslinspjsen" brings a smile. Great!
| 4392 CD $15.98 |
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Monicas Vals |
Again, we are behind in our Swedish lessons and must rely on our ears and hearts to enjoy this 1994 release. Do you realize that it's been ten years since the Real Group got together! It seems like only yesterday. Their horizons are continually expanding. That title track is rock 'n roll or my name isn't This Reviewer. Hey who slipped in the piano on that one track? That sounds suspiciously like Maurice Chevalier. Familiar to our ears are "Dancing Queen." The total scat and bass rendition of "The Flight Of The Foo-Birds" is extra special! "Boogie-Woogie Tango" in Swedish? Yes, right here!
Listen to "Flight of the Foo-Birds" in Real Audio.
| 4393 CD $15.95 |
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Ticket To Ride |
Now, why do we love the Real Group so much? One of the many reasons is they have vocally mastered just about every music genre out there... and this CD proves just that! Many of these songs might be familiar to the die-hard Real Group fans out there, but unless you've seen them in concert you probably have not heard them sing their rockin' version of the Beatles' 'Ticket To Ride'or the beautiful melody and the lush background harmonies in 'Song From The Snow.' Also, when you purchase this CD you'll be treated to an additional disc that you can pop in your DVD player and watch them sing 'Ticket to Ride,' 'Splanky,' 'No More Blues' and a few other fun tunes, in a live recording! Don't miss this CD!
| 4757 CD $19.95 |
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A Cappella in Acapulco |
A Korean import, this CD is similar to the Real Group's earlier release, 'Unreal,' with a few very exciting differences. If you've ever looked at their sheet music collection published by 'Walton,' you may have stumbled upon a song called 'How Come Its So Hard To Be The Way You Are?' If you've listened to a decent amount of their Swedish repertoire, you would have learned that the song is actually the English version of 'Varfor Far Man Inte Bara Vara Som Man Ar?' But where can you find the English version of this song? Look no further, its on 'Get Real.' A few other new highlights to this CD are a studio version of 'Strawberry Fields Forever,' their award-winning cover of 'Dancing Queen,' and you'll get to hear English lyrics added to 'For The One I Love.' All three of these additional tracks show off the group's virtuoso ability to create a vocal accompaniment that you will swear sounds more like other instruments rather than the human voice! While you may have heard many of the tracks on this CD before, this is a must have for all Real Group fans worldwide!
| 4754 CD $19.95 |
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Come Sunday SSATB |
Duke Ellingon’s beautiful, sacred ballad, ‘Come Sunday,’ and the fun jazz standard, ‘Very Early,’ can be found on the Real Group’s album, ‘Nothing But…’. From their first album, titled ‘Debut,’ ‘Coffee Calls For A Cigarette,’ will take the audience back to the jazz era with its tight harmonies and lyrics. ‘Alla Talar Med Verandra’ is the Swedish version of ‘Small Talk,’ featured on their album ‘One For All,’ its upbeat melodies and satirical lyrics will make your audience laugh. Their arrangement of The Beatles’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ is sure to be loved by all.
| 4388 SHEETMUSIC $17.98 |
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A Cappella In Acapulco SSATB |
The CD ‘Nothing But The Real Group’ was met with nothing but praise and excitement by fans worldwide. This package includes 3 titles from that album - ‘Chili Con Carne,’ Anders Edenroth’s most popular original arrangement; this title has become a staple in the high school and collegiate Jazz Choir repertoire. ‘As Rain,’ another Anders Edenroth original; this beautiful ballad will challenge the singers and warm the hearts of any who hear it. Their arrangement of ‘God Only Knows,’ is a very worthy treatment of the Beach Boys’ classic. Also included is ‘A Cappella In Acapulco’ another exciting Anders Edenroth original with an exciting Latin groove, featured on their album titled ‘Unreal.’ Anders Edenroth's playful, humorous composition, 'I Sing, You Sing,' features a wickedly catchy tune and clever lyrics, with a repeating refrain and verse structure that make this a pleasure to learn. Perfect for a good high school jazz choir and beyond! Featured on their CD 'One For All.'
| 4389 SHEETMUSIC $10.98 |
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Att angora en brygga - arr. Anders Jalkeus SSATB |
Widely known as one of the best A Cappella Jazz groups in the world, The Real Group continues to amaze us with their innovative (and most of the time, extremely challenging) arrangements. Anyone who knows of them are familiar with their stellar English arrangements, like 'Chili Con Carne,' 'A Cappella in Acapulco,' or 'Waltz For Debby,' but did you know that some of their Swedish arrangements are available too? We at Primarily A Cappella are proud to offer 'Pippy-potpouri' (a medley of songs from the 'Pippy Longstocking' movies), 'Sakta vi ga genom stan' (swedish version of 'Walkin' My Baby Back Home'), 'Att angora en brigga' (beautiful Jazz Waltz Ballad from the 1960's swedish dark comedy with the same name, featured on 'Allt Det Basta'), and 'Underbart ar kort' (challenging piece with a great bass solo, featured on 'Allt Det Basta').
| 4390 SHEETMUSIC $17.95 |
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Heavenly Crystal SSATB |
You don't need a big band to make Anders Edenroth's arrangement of the Stevie Wonder tribute to jazz musicians sound great! The buoyant opening of 'Sir Duke' remains through two verses, then switches to a swingin' half-time grove. A sensitive treatment of the jazz standard, 'There Will Never Be Another You,' opens as a ballad before moving to a buoyant swing feel. Great tune, great arrangement. SATB a cappella with soprano solo. 'How Come It Is So Hard To Be The Way You Are' is a rockin' humorous look at today's society. The recording of the english version of this song can only be found on the album, 'Get Real.' 'Heavenly Crystal,' the english version of a folk song well known in Sweden, this arrangement is inspired by the music of J.S. Bach. Just plain cool – there's no other way to describe Anders Edenroth's newest arrangement, 'Words'! Edenroth has created a witty, sophisticated examination of the nature of 'words' – their sense, their social role, and the varied ways they can be sung and spoken – which will intrigue jazz choirs at all levels.
| 4392 SHEETMUSIC $15.98 |
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Silent Night arr. Anders Jalkeus SSAATTBB |
One of the most famous Christmas songs ever written, 'Silent Night' gets the Real Group treatment, this very challenging arrangement is breath-taking to say the least! 'Star Over Bethlehem' (In Swedish, 'Glans over sjo och strand') is the english version of a popular Swedish Christmas carol by Alice Tegner. 'Prepare the Way' (in Swedish, 'Bereden vag for Herran') is another heartwarming Christmas carol, soprano Margareta Jalkeus' arranges this beautiful piece. You can hear the swedish versions of all three of these songs on The Real Group's Christmas album, "En riktig jul".
| 4391 SHEETMUSIC $6.98 |
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