Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » BEL Trio: Beyond Rivers
BEL Trio: Beyond Rivers
ByThe group's name, as seems to be the fashion in Europe these days, combines the first initials of the participants' last names Bodin, Erlandsson, Lundgrento form the acronym BEL, thus further reinforcing the trio's collaborative nature. While Lundgren's guitar is the melodic touchstone, he relies heavily on Erlandsson's unwavering pulse for rhythmic guidance. Bodin, meanwhile, does exactly as he should, seldom setting aside his brushes to use sticks for overblown emphasis. What the listener perceivesor shouldis a trio that eschews egos and works remarkably well together.
Lundgren ensconces his guitar in a mellow tone most of the way, the lone exception being Erlandsson's rocking "Digi Digi Digi Ding," wherein he uses a "wah wah" style and other irksome mannerisms to underscore the ruckus while Bodin brings out the sticks and Erlandsson solos with his usual assurance. The gentle "Country Waltz," which follows, sounds almost like an apology for the preceding number. The session opens on a buoyant note with Erlandsson's "In the Desert" and "Beyond Rivers," which lead to Lundgren's more even-tempered "May First" and Erlandsson's lively and limber "Wait for It." Lundgren's lyrical "Gonja" and pensive "October Song" ring down the curtain.
While the songs on Beyond Rivers will almost surely be new to most listeners, the BEL Trio brings out the best in them. As Italians might say, the trio is BEL-a BEL-a, and its premiere recording is a treat for the receptive ear and heart.
Track Listing
In the Desert; Beyond Rivers; May First; Wait for It; Digi Digi Digi Ding; Country Waltz; Adios Amigos; Gonja; October Song.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Beyond Rivers | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Self Produced
< Previous
Slowly: Song For Keith Jarrett