Human Being Human: Being

Inspired by the human experiences of living, connecting and creating, leading Danish trio Human Being Human return with Being. The album sees the trio expanding their soundscape as they collaborate with American saxophonist Chris Cheek. He brings his style and energy to the project, aligning perfectly with the trio's contemporary Danish explorations of the acoustic jazz trio format.

The trio's first two albums, 2022's Equals and 2023's Disappearance (April Records), positioned the band as one of Europe's most distinctive in their genre. They are led by bassist and composer Torben Bjornskov; in a country that has produced several remarkable bassists, he stands out as one of their finest. He is joined by pianist Esben Tjalve and drummer Frederik Bülow.

The album features seven Bjornskov compositions, the first of which, "Human Rights" is a triumph of interplay, driven by Bülow's bustling ride cymbal alongside Bjornskov's inventive basslines, while Tjalve and Cheek fold the melody seamlessly into the groove with confident precision.

The pace slows for the title track, a ballad that ranks among the album's highlights. Cheek finding just the right saxophone tone to evoke the kind of melancholic atmosphere that would accompany the ending of a vintage black-and-white film as the hero walks off into the night. The slower pace seems to suit the band, they are equally assured on "Human Spirit" with Cheek's outstanding solo matched by superb support.

Elsewhere, "Filia" features saxophone and bass weaving together in a gentle and empathetic American-Scandinavian duet, while "Human Nature" delivers a laid-back groove that carries the kind of memorable quality that makes it feel like something you have always known.

Cheek, renowned for his collaborations with Charlie Haden and Brad Mehldau, enriches the trio's melodic foundation while letting each track breathe and unfold organically. His saxophone settles beautifully into the space created by Tjalve's open playing and Bülow's subtle accents. Bjornskov adds a lyrical class that elevates the project, echoing his own philosophy: "The essence of music is working together, being open, being positive, and wanting to experience new things. We want to be inspired by all kinds of things."