Precious Pop Pearls: The Story Behind Mezzoforte – “Garden Party”
In the early 1980s, a wave of instrumental jazz-funk swept the charts, a genre in which virtuoso musicians showcased their technical skills without the ballast of vocal lines. Among established names like Spyro Gyra and the emerging smooth jazz movement, a surprise came from an unexpected corner: Iceland. A group of teenagers who had barely finished high school managed to conquer the world in 1983 with an instrumental track that played on dance floors and radio stations around the globe. ‘Garden Party’ by Mezzoforte proved that you didn’t have to come from New York or Los Angeles to score a global hit in the competitive landscape of fusion jazz.
The track was more than just a pleasant melody. It was a statement from a new generation of musicians who grew up with fusion pioneers but brought their own spin to the genre. While much contemporary jazz-funk focused on extended jam sessions and complex harmonies, Mezzoforte opted for immediacy and melodic clarity. The result was an instrumental piece as accessible as the biggest pop hits, but with the musical sophistication of the jazz world. ‘Garden Party’ opened doors for the band far beyond the borders of their small island nation.
Mezzoforte
The story of Mezzoforte begins in 1977 in Reykjavik, where four teenagers aged fifteen to seventeen shared their passion for music. Eyþór Gunnarsson on keyboards, Friðrik Karlsson on guitar, Jóhann Ásmundsson on bass, and Gunnlaugur Briem on drums formed the core of what would become Iceland’s most important musical export, long before The Sugarcubes and Björk conquered the world. The four students were fascinated by the fusion movement that flourished in the 1970s, with names like Weather Report, Return to Forever, and Chick Corea as their major influences.
The band name Mezzoforte refers to the musical instruction literally meaning moderately loud, an ironic choice for a band that stood out for its energetic and powerful sound. Playing in school buildings and small clubs in Reykjavik, the young musicians quickly developed their own style. Their enthusiasm caught the attention of Steinar Berg, an Icelandic record executive who saw potential in the youthful lineup. In 1979, they signed their first record deal with Steinar Records, before celebrating their twentieth birthday.
Mezzoforte’s first three albums were released exclusively in Iceland and served as a musical training ground. The band experimented with various styles within the broad spectrum of jazz fusion, from the complexity of prog-rock to the groove of funk. After graduating in 1981, music became their full-time pursuit. They travelled to London to work with producer Geoff Calver, who had previously collaborated with the band on their second album. This partnership would prove crucial for the international success to follow.
In London’s PRT Studios, they recorded their fourth album in the summer of 1982, originally released in Iceland under the title “4”. For the international release, the album was renamed “Surprise Surprise”, a prophetic choice. The band worked with Calver, arranger Chris Cameron, and percussionist Luis Jardim to refine their sound. The result was an album that combined the raw energy of their earlier work with polished production suitable for international charts.
Garden Party
“Garden Party” nearly didn’t make it onto the album “Surprise Surprise”. The band doubted whether the track was good enough for the record, a decision that would have been nearly catastrophic in hindsight. The track stood out for its direct, infectious melody and a striking flugelhorn solo by English trumpeter Stephen Dawson. This solo, lasting around two minutes, became one of the most recognisable moments in 1980s instrumental music.
The composition, written by keyboardist Eyþór Gunnarsson, had all the ingredients of a perfect hit: a memorable main melody, a strong funk groove, and enough musical complexity to remain interesting on repeated listening. The track lasted over six minutes in its original version, but the immediacy of the melody ensured it retained impact in shorter radio edits. The production was clear and modern, with synthesisers capturing the early 1980s sound perfectly without sounding dated.
In spring 1983, “Garden Party” was released as a single on Steinar Records UK. The reaction in London was immediate and overwhelming. Clubs and discos embraced the track, and it was soon picked up by major radio stations. For an instrumental track, this was exceptionally rare, but the accessibility and danceable character of “Garden Party” broke through the usual barriers.
Success in the United Kingdom was just the beginning. “Garden Party” reached number seventeen on the UK Singles Chart and stayed in the charts for ten weeks. For an instrumental track by an unknown Icelandic band, this was sensational. The subsequent worldwide release ensured the track charted in other European countries and Japan. Mezzoforte brought something fresh and European, a sound combining modern production techniques with the energy of live jazz.
Herb Alpert
The success of “Garden Party” caught the attention of one of the most respected names in instrumental music: Herb Alpert. The American trumpeter and bandleader, known for his work with The Tijuana Brass and hits like ‘Rise’, decided in 1983 to record his own version. This cover appeared on his album “Blow Your Own Horn” and was also released as a single. What followed was one of the most peculiar anecdotes in music history.
According to legend, Alpert learned the track from a single accidentally played at the wrong speed. Singles were normally played at 45 rpm, but Alpert reportedly listened at 33 rpm, the speed for LPs. The result was that his version sounded significantly slower than Mezzoforte’s original. While the original had an energetic, uptempo character, Alpert’s interpretation had a more relaxed, laid-back feel fitting the smooth jazz aesthetic of his later work.
Alpert’s cover also gave “Garden Party” added credibility in the American music industry. Alpert was not only a successful musician but also co-founder of A&M Records, one of the leading labels of the time. That he chose to cover a track by a relatively unknown Icelandic band was a confirmation of the original’s quality. It also opened doors for Mezzoforte in the US, though the band would never reach the same heights there as in Europe and Japan.
Surprise Surprise
The album “Surprise Surprise”, featuring “Garden Party”, was originally released in Iceland in 1982 under the simple title “4” as the band’s fourth album. For the international release in 1983, the record was renamed and given a different cover, ironically the cover initially used for their third album released only in Iceland. This odd decision by the label was later corrected in the 1996 remastered version, though confusion around the different editions persisted.
Recording took place in July and August 1982 at PRT Studios in London, followed by mixing sessions at Red Bus Studios in September. It was the second time the band collaborated with producer Geoff Calver, after their earlier experience on the album internationally known as “Mezzoforte”. This time, the band was better prepared and more confident in their musical vision. Saxophonist Kristinn Svavarsson, who had previously contributed as a guest musician, became a full member for this album, enriching the sound with additional horn arrangements.
Musically, “Surprise Surprise” represented a perfect balance between accessibility and musical complexity. Tracks like “Surprise” and “Midnight Sun” showcased the band at their best: tight grooves, virtuosic solos, and memorable melodies that lingered. The production was modern and clear, with synthesizers like the Prophet V, Jupiter 8, and MiniMoog alongside traditional instruments such as Rhodes piano and acoustic percussion. This combination gave the album a timeless quality that sounded fresh both in 1983 and decades later.
Rockall
The second single from the album “Surprise Surprise” was “Rockall”, released in June 1983, a few months after the success of “Garden Party”. The track was named after the uninhabited rock formation in the North Atlantic Ocean, a name that could also serve as a metaphor for the Icelandic identity of the band. “Rockall” had a different mood than “Garden Party”, with a slightly darker, more mysterious character that fit the title. The track featured a hypnotic groove and a melody that gradually built in intensity.
Commercially, “Rockall” could not match the phenomenal success of its predecessor. The single reached only number seventy-five on the UK Singles Chart and remained there for just one week. For many bands, this would have been a disappointment, but in the case of “Rockall”, this low chart position does not tell the full story. The track gained a second life as the theme tune for various European chart shows, particularly in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. This association meant millions of listeners heard the track regularly, even if they did not buy the single.
The fact that “Rockall” was chosen as a theme tune for chart shows was telling. The track had an urgency and forward-driving energy that perfectly suited the concept of a chart show. The repetitive but never boring groove gave it a hypnotic quality that reminded listeners weekly of the programme and of Mezzoforte. This constant exposure, even without high sales, helped the band remain relevant in the public consciousness.
Musically, “Rockall” demonstrated that Mezzoforte had more to offer than just the direct, melodic funk of “Garden Party”. The track was more complex in structure, with different sections smoothly transitioning into one another and more space for improvisation. The production was as professional as on “Garden Party”, with a clear separation between instruments highlighting each band member’s contribution. It was clear that Geoff Calver knew how to bring out the best in these young musicians.
After the success of “Garden Party”, Mezzoforte faced a crucial decision: remain in Iceland or move to a country with a larger music industry. The band chose the latter, relocating to England, where they based themselves for the coming years. In the summer of 1983 alone, they played 47 concerts in the United Kingdom, an exhausting but exhilarating experience for the young musicians. They then toured Germany, the Benelux, Scandinavia, and Japan, everywhere enthusiastically received by audiences eager for their energetic live shows. The band had the opportunity to share stages with their idols. At international festivals, they performed alongside legends like Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Al Jarreau, and Spyro Gyra.
In the years that followed, Mezzoforte released a steady stream of albums: “Observations” in 1984, “Rising” in 1984, “No Limits” in 1986, “Playing for Time” and “Daybreak”. For Iceland, Mezzoforte was a herald of the musical richness the country would produce. They paved the way for later Icelandic artists to gain international recognition. And for lovers of instrumental music, “Garden Party” remains a perfect four minutes of pure, joyful musical expression, a tribute to the power of melody, groove, and virtuosity.
