Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Bruno R: Presence

Bruno R: Presence

Item: Presence
Rating: 0
Author: Jim Santella

By Jim Santella
June 1, 2000
View read count

The title track from bassist Bruno Råberg’s latest album lays down a melody upon which the trio improvises collectively. Thus, the composer’s theme maintains only a mere presence while the three artists "converse" on a common topic. Two other tracks place the trio in a free group improvisation mode, one is a traditional Swedish folk tune, and the rest are from Råberg’s pen. An interesting composer, the bassist blends Northern European folk song ideas with overtly modern jazz elements to express with complete satisfaction. The basic ideas are pure and simple, while the end result is complex enough to draw you in like a magnet.

"Procession," in 11/4, is counted 3+3+3+2. The bassist hypnotizes with a Mingus-like riff while tenor saxophone and drums add melody over stronger emphasis. The meter creates an effect as if the processional were being abbreviated. So that pomp and circumstance can cut corners gracefully, the visualized participants are taking one short step for every three slow ones.

Highly recommended, Bruno Råberg’s latest project combines avant-garde unpredictability with down-home charm for a respectable jazz outing.

FOLLOW Jim Santella and get notified whenever Jim has a new article published.
Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Track Listing

Runestones; Jaquemonti Birch; Procession; Sculpture II; Twin Spirits; Berg-Kirsti

Personnel

Bruno R

Album information

Title: Presence | Year Released: 2000

About Bruno R

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Charles Gayle
< Previous

Art Pepper
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.