Sten Sandell - Fred Lonberg-Holm - Michael Zerang: Disappeared

The title of this outing lends a bit of credence to the actual musical presentation as the Trio executes a series of mini-themes amid unexpected surprises and elusive methodologies. Throughout these nine pieces titled, “Disappeared-Day One” through Disappeared-Day Nine”, the musicians perpetuate oscillating flows of varying levels of intensity while Sandell also augments many of these works with his abstract vocalese and scat-like utterances. Here, the band injects intricately executed three-way dialogue, whether it involves Lonberg-Holm’s delicate plucking of his cello strings, or Sandell’s melodious block chords, sparse phrasing and rapid single note lines whereas, percussionist Michael Zerang provides additional shading via his shrewd maneuvers. Basically, the artist’s surge onward via bustling movements, raw improv and intuitive exchanges in concert with either softly stated motifs, dissonant tonalities and surrealistic inclinations yet an inexplicable aura hovers atop much of this production.

nuscope recordings