Susanna Lindeborg & Ove Johansson - Duo: Structures

On Structures, tenor saxophonist and exponent of the EWI (electronic wind instrument) Ove Johansson performs a series of semi-free and at times, structured pieces with his longtime associate, keyboardist and compatriot Ms. Susanna Lindeborg. Here, Johansson’s hard, yet fluid blowing counterbalances Ms. Lindeborg’s Euro-classical and jazz-based articulations behind the keys.

The opener, a composition titled “Stage 13” subliminally references that now familiar ECM-ish sound complete with ethereal EFX treatments, a smidgen of reverb and Johansson’s acerbic and somewhat propulsive sax lines as a subtle onslaught ensues! The title piece, “Structures” features an abundance of call and response motifs coupled with discrete electronics, Johansson’s rapid-fire lines and Lindeborg’s often-percussive attack. With this piece and throughout most of these works, the duo performs intuitively while exhibiting slight doses of musical trickery amid sharp interaction as themes evolve and disappear on a continual basis. Ms Lindeborg’s cyclic chord clusters on “Weaver’s Idea” serves as an interesting parallel to Johansson’s angular and darting phraseology on tenor while the metronome-like synth bass pulse on “Theme With Out Theme” and sprightly unison choruses provides a glittering glimpse of the duo’s crafty demeanor.

Overall, Structures hits the mark as a fine freewheeling collaboration yet is imprinted with noticeable forethought and cunning ingenuity as Lindeborg and Johansson surge forward with artistic confidence, while pursuing lofty and refreshingly novel propositions. - Recommended

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