Jonas Holgersson: Snick Snack

Swedish drummer Jonas Holgersson's trio releases its first recording of original music, its apparent appreciation of the jazz tradition balanced by the manifestation of a kind of composed stoicism that makes Snick Snackan unimpeachable session.

Holgersson has held the drum chair in bands led by both saxophonist Jonas Kullhammar and trumpeter Magnus Broo. This debut as leader features a classic saxophone trio with Karl-Martin Almqvist and bassist Christian Spering. The title track kicks things off, with Holgersson playing a sparse groove on a minimal kit. This unadorned approach, carried throughout the session, makes for an eye-catching (as well as ear-grabbing) approach. By choosing this no-nonsense style, the melodies are forefront and very perceivable.

It's rare for a recording to conjure such visual information. On each track—best highlighted by the longest piece, "Danish Steel," at eight minutes—the music provides a clear optical reference. Each instrument is made readily perceptible, with Holgersson's mallet work, Almqvist moving breath into his soprano saxophone and Spering's tactile motion a credit to the recording engineers—and to Holgersson's sense of proportion.

Holgersson and Almqvist give a nod to John Coltrane's A Love Supreme (Impulse!, 1965) on "Yellow Duet," the pair signaling its knowledge and appreciation for a tailored and disciplined outward reach. Besides this Elvin Jones reference, Holgersson lays down three brief solo tracks—each quite minimal, accomplishing much with very little.