Randal Despommier: A Midsummer Odyssey

If it was possible to fall in love with a set of music, Randal Despommier's A Midsummer Odyssey might be the one. The backstory to this recording begins in Perugia, Italy in 2005, where the American saxophonist heard the composition "Danny's Dream," by the Swedish saxophonist Lars Gullin (1928—1976). He was captivated by the music performed by this Scandinavian luminary and master of the baritone saxophone. Gullin was little known to American audiences, but has been hailed by contemporary bari players such as Ken Vandermark and Anders Svanoe. Fast forward to the pandemic year 2021, and Despommier revisited Gullin's oeuvre for this session with Ben Monder. The guitarist was heard on Despommier's 2021 release Dio C'è (Outside In Music) and is a perfect complement to the music that mixes folk with ballads, blues, bossa nova, and swing.

That originating piece "Danny's Dream" is covered here. The ballad is the Swedish equivalent to John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman's slow burning recording of "My One And Only Love" from 1963. That furtive Swedish-ness is evident throughout. Gullin's "Toka Voka Oka Boka," with Monder playing the bass line, awakens memories of the theme song to the 1970's TV series The Odd Couple. It is, though, taken from a Swedish folk melody, as is much of Gullin's music. That theme appears again with "I Hope It's Spring for You," a composition written for a Swedish television series. One with lyrics written by Chan Parker, Charlie Parker's partner.

Despommier's tone is lush throughout. Playing in unison with Monder on "BBC Blues" and "Igloo" the pair begin together before dancing loops and swirls around the melodies. The saxophonist's gentle touch is seductive, whether he is filtering the blues, a Brazilian sound ("I Min Smala Säng"), or a waltz ("Dyningar.") This music is irresistible.

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