Bruno Raberg: Orbis

One of Sweden's most innovative bassists, Bruno Raberg, serves up exciting references to the folk music of Scandinavia with the assistance of drum legend Bob Moses, pianist extraordinaire Tim Ray and sax master Ole Mathisen on this 1998 release titled Orbis. This exciting coexistence of jazz, funk and world music is relayed on nine compositions written by Bruno Raberg, an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music. Raberg finds a kindred melodic and rhythmic spirit in Ole Mathisen on "Forest Star," and "Cape Light" with Mathisen featuring his exciting sax solos in such an instinctive role, that the listener forgets that he's "not soloing." The conversational give-and-take on "Forgive," and "Winds Above," which both feature an approach Raberg borrowed from a Swedish radio progam called "Confrontation," brilliantly depict his efforts "to put things together that you think wouldn't work." "Wings of Hope," is an excellent example of Raberg's lyrical approach and strong rhythmic certainty as inspired by the Scandinavian folk themes. Orbis is an excellent contrast of musical ideas and stories that convey the emotional depth of Raberg and his equally talented partners.