Sweden has given us so much excellent music in the jazz tradition to be excited about, and this release by a sextet led by drummer Dennis Egberth is another case in point.
Listening to this, one is reminded of another great sextet from Sweden, Atomic, sharing the same aesthetic and one musician in common, reeds player Fredrik Ljungkvisdt. Trumpet player Niklas Barno even sounds like Magnus Broo, Ljungkvisdt's horn-mate in Atomic. The aesthetic can be described as lyrical and velvety-toned, but with a certain wistful moodiness that is soothing, even in the more tense moments.
The compositions by Egberth channel this moodiness in different facets of the band's five pieces that are sensitively rendered by his band mates, who also include Alex Zethson on Wurlitzer piano, Linus Hillborg on electronics and Joe Williamson on double bass.
A diptych called PanGu, parts one and two, launches the album's adventure. Part one, subtitled "Earth," is a rousing three-four piece that features a sinewy sax-trumpet interaction supported by keening piano and electronics before Egberth's drums rise out of the mists of the tune and propel the music to sublime heights. Part two, aptly titled "Heaven," is a translucent piece that seems to float along with a delicate clarinet and songful trumpet leading the way.
The remaining three tracks take the listener on a melodious journey to "Chichen Itza," then step into a funky romp called "Bogey" that comes out of left field but shows this sextet can swing madly. The closing piece, "Eternal Garden," has a sort of metaphysical, contemplative quality to it, wherein the piano stretches out while drums and sax go on to have an extended conversation before the band coalesces into an expressive romantic theme to close the album.
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