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Mats Gustafsson/David Stacken: Mountain Blues From Sweden
Same can be said for the Swedish duo of saxophonist Mats Gustafsson and guitarist David Stackenäs. Their take on the "blues" is akin to an American ordering spaghetti with peanut sauce.
Ken Vandermark's liner notes essay the musical differences between European and American jazzmen, and the recording demonstrates the same. The divide here is not the "blues." This is not a blues record. Gustafsson and Stackenäs favor instant composition and space. Swing is replaced with swonk (and honk!). Mats Gustafsson does what he does best. The saxophonist sticks with his baritone horn here, as he did on the 2004 disc Catapult. The baritone allows a more intimate reaction to Stackenäs' guitar.
Tones and space replace swing and rhythm. Did I mention this is not a blues record? Stackenäs, an accomplished free jazz guitarist, has digested Derek Bailey and Fred Frith and speaks their tongue with a Swedish accent. He adds tension, vibrations, and daring runs of energy playing. On "Bumble Bee Blues he touches on a bit of slide-guitar blues before rocketing into the deconstructed future. Ah, they are just playing with us! Gustafsson applies his high-end jabs and vocalizations, steering your mind farther and farther from the crossroads.
Okay, so I'm still hung up on the titles here. You need not be, and this is quite an enjoyable set of free improvisation.
Track Listing
Shave
Personnel
Mats Gustafsson
woodwindsMats Gustafsson: baritone saxophone; David Stacken
Album information
Title: Mountain Blues From Sweden | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Atavistic Worldwide
About Mats Gustafsson
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