JAY-JAY JOHANSON PROLOGUE - BEST OF THE EARLY YEARS 1996-2002 ALBUM RCA, BMG RELEASE: MAY 26, 2004 REVIEW: MAY 26, 2004

Sometimes I feel I have heard enough about Jay-Jay Johanson and his seemingly godlike status in France. It becomes apparent after just a brief overview-style listen that it isn't that strange after all, though, especially if you isten to his early works. The Swedes were not confronted with him, outside the hardcore fan circle, until the "Antenna" album was released in 2002. A move into more electropoppish territories paved the way for wider recognition and the singles for "On the Radio" and "Automatic Lover" received substantial air play.
These two, accompanied by the electronica fuelled "Kate", represent "Antenna" on this new compilation, which actually has some value even for the most rabid Jay-Jay followers. No less than five previously unreleased tracks complete the tracklisting of "Prologue", one of which is a re-make of the 1996 pop trifle "So Tell the Girls That I Am Back in Town" with Sami Sirviö (Kent) lending Johanson a couple of guitar notes. This is the definitive highlight of this release. A fantastic song to start with, now equipped with a more club friendly beat and Sirviö's beautiful guitar melody. The other extras aren't as strong, but "Suddenly" and "My Way" were probably not that far from fitting on the "Antenna" album.
The tracks from his first three albums, his "French" period so to speak, leave me puzzled. One or two of them lingered briefly in my consciousness, but on the whole Jay-Jay's early songs are way too unfocused and uninspired to catch my attention. I do understand why the French love it, though. Loungy, house flavoured pieces, somewhere between pop and ambient with Jäje's (yepp, that's his real name) high pitch voice as decoration. "Antenna" and the new single for "So Tell the Girls..." are sure bets if you're into electro. If you're not you may want to consult France.

NIKLAS FORSBERG