Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Kristian Harborg Quartet: Harbostatic
Kristian Harborg Quartet: Harbostatic
ByWhile Harborg's themes are quite well written, there's a sameness about most of them, in terms of style and tempo, that can become tediousand it's a good bet the audience weren't humming any of them on the way home. Tracks 5 and 7 ("Jonas Kullhammar, "Liquored Up ) are exceptions, the former a groovy swinger with bracing solos by Harborg and pianist Ludvig Berghe, the latter a muscular stallion that enfolds Harborg's nimble 1:20 a cappella preamble before carrying the quartet past the finish line. I wish Harborg had seen fit to include at least one standard, but that was his call, not mine.
Even though there's not much here that quickened my pulse, that's a matter of opinion and no reflection on Harborg's obvious talents. When all is said and done, one must concede that the young Swede is a first-rate player, as are his companions, and their musicianship carries the day. As Ebert and Roeper would say, a cautious thumbs up. There's an ample measure of splendid music on offer, and others may find it far more pleasurable than I.
Visit Kristian Harborg on the web.
Track Listing
Reverend Goose; I Knew It All Along; Subterraneans; Uncle Harbo; The Sole of Jonas Kullhammar; One Less Car on the Road; All Liquored Up (59:32).
Personnel
Kristian Harborg: tenor saxophone; Ludvig Berghe: piano; Kenji Rabson: bass; Daniel Fredriksson: drums.
Album information
Title: Harbostatic | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Moserobie