Lovestreet Records
Sodra Bulltoftavagen 25:9
2122.22 Malmo, Sweden
www.lovestreet.se

The guitar, bass and drum trio format is the most challenging for the jazz player. The musicians must constantly shift between providing accompaniment and support to soloing when called upon. This particular group is comprised of three excellent players who meld perfectly together.

Drummer Kristofer Johansson is a prominent voice in each selection. His world-class brushwork and rhythmic punctuation is interesting but never overbearing. Bassist Mattias Hjorth is swinging throughout and his tone is rich and full. Both are also excellent soloists. Almost every selection affords them the opportunity to showcase their individual talents. The energy provided by this rhythm section allows Leijonhufvud to weave through the chord changes over a rock solid background.

The material is a mix of original material and standards. Leijonhufvud contributes three tunes which include a ballad titled “Visalo”. His harmonic concept and direction is both pretty and thought provoking. “Solvande Blues” is a shuffle rhythm that’s has a simple and catchy melody line. “Den Blomstertid Nu Kommer” begins with an out of time guitar solo. The rhyhm section joins in and provides just the right amount of color to this airy modern ballad.

Standard include the Jerome Kern classic “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.” This ballad is the opening track, and moves into double-time solos featuring Johansson and Hjorth. The next tune is the funky Eddie Harris composition “Cold Duck Time.” Leijonhufvud is able to create a Kenny Burrell type sound and approach that is bluesy hard driving at the same time. Johansson opens up “What Is This Thing Called Love” with some terrific brushwork. The melody is punctuated in a unique way which is both creative and effective in its resentation. “What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life” has the rhythm section doubling the time behind a somewhat free presentation of the melody.

The project finishes out with two standards. In the Antonio Carlos Jobim favorite “Dindi,” Leijonhufvud plays the verse and the group develops the melody in a slow bossa nova feel. There are some unexpected harmonic twists that work well. The closer is a swinging “But Not For Me” by George Gershwin.

This Swedish trio provides high quality music. It is a cross between a modern and traditional approach and should please listeners of both genres. All three players are technically adept and use their skills purely to compliment one another. Lovestreet Records and producer Lotta Segergren are to be commended for their support of jazz guitar in Sweden.