artist : Fredrik Nordstr÷m Quintet
title : Moment
label : Moserobie
cat# : MMPCD018
genre : Jazz
street date : 2004-10-03
tracks : 8
bitrate : 173 kbps avg. 44.1/Joint Stereo
size : 74.75 mb
source : CD
type : Retail
url : http://www.moserobie.com
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Fredrik Nordstr÷m: Tenor Saxophone
Magnus Broo: Trumpet
Mattias Stσhl: Vibraphone
Filip Augustson: Bass
Fredrik Rundqvist: Drums
Special guest:
Alberto Pinton: Contrabass Clarinet (#2),
Baritone Saxophone (#8)
When asked about the difference between American and European jazz, most
artists in the know will say that the lines have become so blurred as to
make the distinction pointless. Performers on both side of the Atlantic
now liberally blend the elements of swing and free music, so commonly
associated with the American tradition, with the impressionism and
classical influences tied to the European movement. Dave Douglas is a
strong case in point, as is Swedish saxophonist Fredrik Nordstrom, whose
new quintet recording, Moment, could easily have been recorded in New York
instead of Stockholm.
The parallel to Douglas is, in fact, a strong one for a number of reasons.
While both artists lean towards original compositions, they are not averse
to taking on music by contemporary artists, in particular Bj÷rk, whose
ôThe Modern Thingsö receives a modern treatment by Nordstrom. Revealing
itself gradually, Nordstrom and trumpeter Magnus Broo slowly build the
melody over vibraphonist Mattias StahlÆs ambient backdrop before the
rhythm section kicks in with a fiercely loose middle section that
underpins confident and outer-reaching solos by Nordstrom and Broo.
Drummer Fredrik Rundqvist is like a younger Joey Baron, with a playful
sense of swing only heightened by his exploratory verve.
NordstromÆs first quintet record, On Purpose, came as the result of his
winning the 2002 Swedish Jazz Prize, and rightfully so. Like Douglas, his
compositions manage to blend elements of new music, free jazz and even
some more contemporary rhythms into a unique take. His writing often
consists of simple sketches to give the group a starting point; still, he
is able to imbue longer pieces like ôHDö with a sense of development that
implies a stronger compositional focus. His tone on tenor is robust, with
an approach that is rooted in post-Ornette territory, but with a melodic
bent that makes his work all the more compelling.
The rest of the group is equally captivating, but Stahl is clearly the one
to watch. With a style that is sometimes reminiscent of Bobby HutchersonÆs
æ60s work at its most oblique, he manages to create a backdrop that
provides a focus while, at the same time, remaining ambiguous enough not
to lock the soloists down harmonically. On two tracks the quintet is
augmented by NordstromÆs co-leader in his Dog Out project, Alberto Pinton,
who contributes a fiery baritone solo on ôAlÆs Pint.ö But this record is
really about the quintet who, with a couple of years of playing behind
them, is operating more in each othersÆ pockets. Nordstrom and Broo seem
to know exactly where each other is going; Rundqvist and bassist Filip
Augustson make the rhythm elastic, but they always provide a firm anchor.
NordstromÆs reputation in Sweden is established; now itÆs time for him to
go to the next level and seek a broader audience outside his country.
Albums like Moment are simply too good not to share with the rest of the
world.
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01 No Longer 6:42
02 There's Something Strange On The Carpet 9:29
03 Discrete 5:26
04 The Modern Things 9:45
05 Russian T 4:25
06 HD 11:00
07 Back To Back 6:57
08 Al's Pint 6:09
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