The Action 4S: The Action 4s

This is the debut album from The Action 4S, a quartet comprising Scandinavian and British musicians. Their music is a powerful combination of jazz, fusion and electronica built on a rock-solid rhythmic foundation.

The quartet is made up of acclaimed musicians, none more celebrated than multi-award-winning harmonica virtuoso Mathias Heise. A true virtuoso of the chromatic harmonica, Heise became a world champion harmonica player when aged 20 and has since been expanding the confines of jazz improvisation on the instrument. He is joined by Danish pianist Rasmus Sørensen, who gained recognition on the New York scene before relocating to Copenhagen. Their compelling interplay is built on the platform laid down by the exciting combination of bassist Conor Chaplin and Norwegian-Swedish drummer Anton Eger.

The group's self-titled album features nine tracks, beginning with "The Mikster," one of four compositions by Heise. Chaplin and Eger, who set up a driving, fast-paced groove, while Heise delivers an up-tempo and fluid solo with the track pulsing with spontaneity. "Smoothie," another Heise original, features Latin rhythms propelled by Eger, with Heise adding synthesiser textures to the exchange. The funk of "Searchlight Theory" has classy, soulful harmonica lines interweaving around bass and piano. The final Heise composition, "Eclectic Horizons," centers its improvisations around Sørensen's keyboard work.

There are two tracks reimagined from Eger's 2019 debut album AE (Edition Records). The funk of "Sugaruzd" has a synthesiser sound giving a 90s feel, while the synthesiser on "IOEDWLTO" neatly combines with the bass before the band moves into a brisk, spirited rhythm. The final of Eger's tunes is the driving "SXL," with Heise and Sørensen's soulful tones combining well.

Sørensen brings two compositions; Heise is at his lyrical best on the relaxed vibe and gentle melody of "Drommeland," while the mid-tempo "Rough Patch" twists and turns around its repeating motifs.

It is the group interplay that stands out in this high-energy session. Heise is superb throughout; his combinations with Sørensen build layers of sound that interweave with the foundation laid down by bass and drums that together build a balance of precision, fluidity and improvisation that radiates energy.