E.S.T.: Somewhere Else Before

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: September 1, 2001

The Esbjörn Svensson Trio offers natural sounds with innovative extras. Formed in 1993, the piano trio plays straight-ahead jazz the way we remember it, and the way it should live forever. They've released six CDs in Sweden so far. This album is a collection of tracks from their last two CDs: From Gagarin's Point of View (1999) and Good Morning Susie Soho (2000). But the music of E.S.T. isn't limited to mainstream jazz revisited. In order to share their fresh ideas, the three artists overdub avant-garde sounds tastefully. Of their decision to add these extra sounds, bassist Dan Berglund says, "But I also love bowing the bass with distortion and a wah-wah pedal because it reminds me of the guitar playing by Deep Purple's Richie Blackmore. Combining the two elements brings something new to the music." From exotic scenery, such as that found in "The Face of Love," to the familiar-sounding "Somewhere Else Before" with its classic acoustic jazz framework, E.S.T.'s program adds sparkle. Of the music's construction, pianist Svensson says, "We recorded it as an acoustic trio, then overdubbed the synthesizers, bowed bass and percussion to add another level of sound." From Sweden, the trio recognizes the need for jazz to grow. E.S.T. retains a hundred years of tradition, while providing a unique sound that aficionados around the world should welcome.

Track Listing: Somewhere Else Before; Dodge the Dodo; From Gagarin's Point of View; The Return of Mohammed; The Face of Love; Pavane (Thoughts of a Septuagenarian); The Wraith; In the Face of Day; Spam-Boo-Limbo.

Personnel: Esbj

Record Label: Columbia Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream