The Norwegian group Junipher Greene was formed already in 1966 in Oslo. Over the years, thanks to the creativity of the duo Freddy Dahl (vocals, guitar, vibraphone) and Bent Åserud (guitar, flute, harmonica, vocals), they evolved from a cover band playing songs by British pop and rock idols into a progressive rock band performing exclusively their own compositions. The quintet also included the singer and keyboardist Helge Grøslie, the bassist and singer Øyvind Vilbo, and the drummer and singer Geir Bøhren. They recorded their debut album Friendship at the Arne Bendiksen Studio in Oslo from November 1970 to May 1971, under the direction of producer and sound engineer Nils Bjarne Kvam and co-produced by the band.

It was released in October 1971 on the major Danish label Sonet, featuring a charming cover painting by Odd Nerdrum and is considered one of Norway’s earliest progressive rock albums. The eleven tracks on the first double LP released by a Norwegian group offer a varied mix of different styles. The spectrum ranges from heavy progressive rock and jazzy Hammond organ, through folk rock, to psychedelia and catchy melodies with English lyrics. Unfortunately, the album had virtually no success in the band’s home country. Following a second LP in 1973 and years of touring the group disbanded in the mid-1970s disillusioned. What is arguably the most influential Norwegian progressive rock album of all time has since achieved cult status and is extremely rare nowadays.