a r t i s t : Jonas Kullhammar Quartet With Norrbotten Big Band
t i t l e : Snake City North
d a t e : 2005
l a b e l : Moserobie
g e n r e : Jazz
r l s. d a t e : Feb/2007
t r a c k s : 08
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 84,5 MB
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Jonas Kullhammar: Tenor Saxophone
Jonas Holgersson: Drums
Torbj÷rn Gulz: Piano
Torbj÷rn Zetterberg: Bass
Norrbotten Big Band (numbers indicate soloists):
Trumpets: Bo Strandberg, Magnus Ekholm, Tapio Maunuvaara
Trumpet & Fluegelhorn: Dan Johansson (2,5),
Trombones: P-O Svanstr÷m, Magnus Puls, Peter Dahlgren (3),
Bass Trombone: Bj÷rn HΣngsel
Alto & Soprano Saxophones: Hσkan Brostr÷m (7)
Alto Saxophone & Bass Clarinet: Jan Thelin
Tenor Saxophone: Mats Garberg
Tenor Saxophone & Clarinet: Bengt Ek
Baritone Saxophone & Flute: Per Moberg
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There is nothing quite like the muscular sound of a big band
that is busting at the seams with energy while disposing of
the all-too-common brassy clichΘs of big band recordings.
Fronted by tenor saxophonist Jonas Kullhammar and his quartet
with pianist Torbj÷rn Gulz, acoustic bassist Torbj÷rn
Zetterberg, and drummer Jonas Holgersson, the Norrbotten Big
Band provides top-notch music filled with fire and soul, not
far removed from the Mingus Big Band in its vitality and
richness.
Snake City North is filled with above board players and
invigorating charts, from the Gil Evans-esque ballad ôFor Xö
to the winding ôSnake City East,ö whose piano intro leads into
full-on horn passages that build and build, with Kullhammar
racing out from underneath the intricately hulking brass
section. An impressive player, Kullhammar possess a powerful
midrange tone that is not overbearing but is capable of a
commanding presence even amidst a cavalcade of reeds.
Sometimes sounding similar to Sonny Rollins, Kullhammar
possesses a quick delivery with a penchant for groove, without
losing the range to find his way into the freer range of the
greenery, cutting through everyone else. And here he is always
the focal point when he takes the lead. And although
Kullhammar contributes the bulk of the pieces here (they're
arranged by Gulz), they do not place him squarely as a lead
with a backing band, but rather a soloist integrated within a
band.
To this end, numerous players make themselves known through
strong solos. Trombonist Peter Dahlgren lays down an
absolutely stellar one on the aptly titled ôFrippes Blues,ö
which also features Kullhammar in a true solo spot, where his
more avant leanings come to light but are reined in enough to
segue way back into the blues theme without misstep.
Zetterberg also offers some thrilling spotlights of both depth
and technique on ôI Sheriffens Klorö and ôSlow Drop.ö
ItÆs sad that more albums like this arenÆt released these
days. There may not be anything groundbreaking here, but the
practically seamless integration of a quartet and expanded
horn aggregate is a potent and powerful combination that makes
for a unique listening experience. On the positive side, it is
nice to see that this album is of such high quality.
Throughout Snake City North, Kullhammar exhibits the strength
and potential that should launch him onto many radar screens
he doesn't occupy already. And by the time he leads the way
through the album's closing number, ôBebopalulia,ö which
resembles a swaggering funk jump song and covers a large
amount of ground in under four minutes, you know that this
recording is one of heart and soul as much as chops. Don't
miss it.
Michael McCaw, allaboutjazz.com
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http://www.kullhammar.com/
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01-Snake City East [08:40]
02-KΣrleksvals [08:11]
03-Frippes Blues [07:22]
04-Slow Drop [10:21]
05-Ruskitoonies McAroonies [06:11]
06-For X [08:06]
07-I Sheriffens Klor [08:02]
08-Bebopalulia [03:52]
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60:45 min