Gemini (Swedish band)

Gemini
Origin Sweden
Genres Pop
Years active 1985–present
Labels Polar Music, Warner Music
Associated acts G.E.S., Glenmarks, Michael B Tretow, Ann-Louise Hanson.

Gemini are a Swedish brother and sister duo, consisting of Karin Glenmark and Anders Glenmark. The duo released two original albums: Gemini (1985) and Geminism (1987). Both albums reached the Swedish Top 20, while their success was limited to Scandinavia. Their only truly international release was the single "Just Like That" (the chorus of which was recorded and is, as yet, officially unreleased by ABBA).

Prior to their work as Gemini, Karin and Anders formed half of the group Glenmarks (with their Uncle Bruno and Aunt Ann-Louise Hanson) and also released two singles together, with 1984's 'Kall som is' ('Cold As Ice') being placed 4th at Melodifestivalen (the Swedish heats for the Eurovision Song Contest 1986.) The winner of Melodifestivalen, Herreys, went on to win the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley' and recorded a version of 'Kall som is' for their album.

Gemini's eponymous first album received an international release but was not a sales success. Much of the material was written by former ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, who also coined the group's name. The remainder was written by Anders and his songwriting partner at that time, Ingela Forsman. The lead single, 'Just Like That' reached the charts in central Europe, while the album track 'Slowly' had previously been recorded by former ABBA member Frida Lyngstad on her 1984 album 'Shine.' One cover version in Spanish of Gemini's 'Slowly' (entitled 'Muriendo Lento') was recorded by the Mexican group "Timbiriche".

1987's 'Geminism' album was a return to straightforward pop music and featured the singles 'T.L.C.', 'Wild About That Girl' and 'Mio My Mio.' Written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus for inclusion in the film adaptation of Astrid Lindgren's children's book, 'Mio In The Land Of Faraway', the Swedish-language recording entitled 'Mio min Mio' became the duo's most successful single release, reaching #3 on the Swedish charts.

Although not a Gemini recording per se, the 1994 release of "Chess In Concert" (a musical by Benny Andersson, Tim Rice and Björn Ulvaeus) showcased their combined voices and distinctive harmonies; Anders playing the role of The American and Karin playing Florence.

Karin and Anders returned to the studio together in 2005 to record 'Den som sa det var det' (Those Who Said That Was That) - a new Swedish version of "Too Much Love Is Wasted" - and added a new backing track to 'When I Close My Eyes'. The latter was originally intended to be released on their first, eponymous album but was deemed too similar to the closing track, 'Another You, Another Me.' All of these songs were included on the compilation album 'Det bästa med..' ('The Best Of..') which reached the Swedish Top 25.

In 2006 the duo signed a distribution deal with Sony Music Sweden, resulting in the album, 'Vår jul' ('Our Christmas'). The Gemini name was dropped in favour of Glenmark & Glenmark, while all instruments and voices were provided by the duo themselves. The radio single 'När vi närmar oss jul' ('As We Head Towards Christmas'), along with TV and radio interviews, successfully promoted their Christmas tour.

In 2006 Anders said of his intention to record new material with Karin, although no firm plans have been announced.

Albums

Karin duets with Anders on the song 'Äntligen,' with Benny Andersson on keyboards, on Anders' solo album Boogie i mitt huvud. The recording is credited as a Gemini release.

Singles

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