a r t i s t : Hσkan Brostroem
t i t l e : New Places
d a t e : 2006
l a b e l : Phono Suecia
g e n r e : Jazz
r l s. d a t e : Nov/2007
t r a c k s : 12
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 103,8 MB
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The New Places to which Swedish composer/arranger Hσkan
Brostr÷m takes us are sunny and pleasant, teeming with scenic
avenues and charming byways. At the center are his charismatic
charts and evocative alto (or soprano) saxophone, twin beacons
that gladden and safeguard the listener on a consistently
agreeable and rewarding journey.
ItÆs an impressive debut for Brostr÷m, who has played and
recorded with a number of big bands but never led one before.
Besides having written and arranged everything, he conducts
the excellent Norrbotten Big Band on seven of the albumÆs
dozen selections, smaller ensembles with strings on the other
five. His themes are vivid and upbeat with an explicit Nordic
veneer. Above all, they are melodically pleasing and
rhythmically powerful (as are his solos, four on alto, seven
on soprano).
Brostr÷m has a keen ear for orchestral color, and thanks to
his perceptive arrangements, the Norrbotten band, in whose
ranks he has worked as a sideman since 1993, has never sounded
sharper or more accessible. The tracks with strings are
equally satisfying, as Brostr÷m keeps his luminous saxophone
at the forefront and consigns the string, woodwind and rhythm
sections to subordinate yet wholly suitable supporting roles.
Even though Brostr÷mÆs is the most prominent solo voice, there
are incisive comments along the way by trumpeter Peter
Asplund, alto Johan H÷rlΘn, tenors Karl-Martin Almqvist
(featured on ôStorytellers Waltzö) and Robert Nordmark,
trombonists Bertil Strandberg and Peter Dahlgren, pianist
Jacob Karlzon, bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Bengt
Stark. Alberto PintonÆs resonant bass clarinet introduces the
breathtaking ôStarry Night,ö while Asplund is especially
impressive on the loping ôThree Year Old Cowboy.ö
In his liner notes, Lars Westin describes Brostr÷m as ôan
exciting and highly personal composer in the best jazz
tradition,ö and I couldnÆt agree more. To his credit, Brostr÷m
never forswears that tradition, and the music he writes is as
congenial as it is contemporary. In other words, the best of
both possible worlds. He really should venture into these New
Places more often.
Jack Bowers, allaboutjazz.com
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http://www.hakanbrostrom.com/
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01-Possibilities [08:07]
02-Growing Up [05:47]
03-Storytellers Waltz [06:35]
04-New Places [10:37]
05-Drifting Apart [03:09]
06-To Cornelis [08:24]
07-Suspended Moon [02:24]
08-Love Her [06:02]
09-Starry Nights [05:40]
10-Don't Loose That Smile [03:19]
11-Three Year Old Cowboy [09:16]
12-Chinese Dinner (With A Fortune Cookie) [04:18]
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73:38 min