Leo Lindberg Trio: Swedish Songbook Series Volume 1

The Leo Lindberg Trio briskly takes us through ten originals that were all written many years ago. Yes, that needs some clarification. Creative Swedish producer and artist Pontus de Wolfe has taken a series of contemporary Swedish songs, dating as far back as 1790, into the future—well, at least into the present. The lyrics are gone. The melodies are enhanced. The tunes swell in the jazz environment. So much so, that there is no need to be familiar with the originals, although it is said that most Swedes are. This is traditional Swedish music given a facelift, and a rhythm section.

Reinvention starts with a spring in the trio's step. Pianist Lindberg optimistically meanders through "Mark hur var skugga (Note How Our Shadow)," along with drummer Moussa Fadera and double bassist Kenji Rabson in this sparkling ditty from 1790. "Jag vet eit litet hotell (I Know Of A Small Hotel)" leads down a staircase to an elegant ballroom. The spiral entrance is enhanced by the well polished percussive touches of Fadera. Once on the floor, it is a swinging jazz trio, grooved by Rabson, bounced by Fadera, and sashayed across the room with compelling momentum by Lindberg. Pushing with more drive and blissful energy on "Jag vill na dig (Samba of Longing)," Lindberg is clearly just letting go and playing in the zone. Fadera and Rabson pop and sizzle from start to finish, opening up wide lanes which Lindberg takes in stride.

Slowing down a tad with "Att angora en brygga (Docking the Boat)," the trio find a pleasant pace to walk gently, still energetic, but notably not in a rush. Flavorful trio improvisations and Fadera's soft lilted brushes highlight the delicate "Sa skimrande var aldrig havet (So Shimmering)." Here Lindberg's stylish note selections are heard gracefully imprinting from his fingertips.

With a sound and chemistry of its own, the trio personifies the generations of compositional and societal changes in "Den sista jantan (The Last Lassie)." Lindberg, Fadera, and Rabson together forge a new dynamic with confidence and inventiveness. "Nu tandas ater ljusen i var lilla stad (Once Again the Light Shine Throughout Our Little Town)" finds a timeless melody broadened by Rabson's bass structure. Lindberg, again embracing the moment vividly, caresses his keys. Embellished by Fadera's brushes, the tune manages to feature individuality while the trio is still tightly knit.

Suddenly it was 1956, and Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb, and Red Garland were hitting it at a small smoky jazz club. A swinging rhythm section pushing the beat sets the table for a locked-in bass solo from Rabson, that graciously was not edited. Fadera's sticks were popping on the ride, and Lindberg was again way into the moment—lost in a sea of peppered high end note selections on "Regntunga skyar (Clouds Heavy With Rain)." There is no let-up as "Lars meets Jeff" has the rhythm section fueled with an infectious beat and personality. Lindberg shines with timely note selections, abundant enough to spark several great exchanges with his mates.

A classy close with "Underbart ar kort (Wonderful is Brief)" has the trio's ambitions pulled in tight with feeling. This is perhaps their most heartwarming piece on an inventive concept record featuring three cats who were really into it.

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