mezzoforte

In dynamics music notation, mezzoforte is abbreviated 'mf' and indicates that the music from that point on should be somewhat loud. The word means "medium loudly" in Italian.

When added to the staff, it looks something like this (complete with eigth notes):

    /\                                                     
---| /----------------------------------------------------
   |/                                                      
---/---------------*---------*---------*---------*--------
  /|              |         |         |         |         
-/-|/\--------*---|-----*---|-----*---|-----*---|---------
|  |  |      |    |    |    |    |    |    |    |         
|--|--|------|----|----|----|----|----|----|----|---------
 \ |  |      |____|____|____|____|____|____|____|         
--\|_/----------------------------------------------------
   |                                                       
  \|        mf

First band from Iceland to make an impact internationally before the advent of the Sugarcubes. Founded in 1979 by four teenagers from Reykjavik, Gunnarsson, Karlsson, Ásmundsson and Briem pretty quickly hit international stardom with their club hit Garden Party in 1982. During their now twentyfour years of bandhistory the band experimented with fusion, Jazzfunk and even a bit of soul.

Most tracks were instrumentals, but with strong melodies, that let you hum most of their tracks after hearing them for the first time. All Mezzoforte tracks are characterized by an emphasis on funky basslines with plenty of slapping and popping going on and meticulously arranged brass. On the earlier records you might find a bit of annoying choral "lalalala" going on in the background, but that's the early eighties for you.

Albums to check out: Surprise Surprise (1982), Observations (1984), No limits (1986) and Monkey Fields (1996).

Mezzoforte has changed its lineup quite considerably over the years, but in 2002 they are apparently still around, planning the next album.

Discography

• Mezzoforte (1979)
• Octopus / i hakanam(1980)
• Thvilikt og annad eins (1981)
• Surprise Surprise (1982)
• Sprelllifandi (1983)
• Catching up with Mezzoforte (1984)
• Observations (1984)
• Rising (1985)
• The Saga So Far (1985)
• No Limits (1986)
• Playing for time (1989)
• Fortissimos (1991)
• Daybreak (1994)
• Monkey Fields (1996)
• Garden Party Time (1999
• Mezzoforte Best Collection (Japan Only)
• the very best of mezzoforte