Swedish Songbirds

Album Review

During the 1990s, Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren made a strong impression, particularly in his homeland and in his recordings with altoist Herb Geller. Lundgren has a style influenced by Oscar Peterson and the bop pianists, impressive technique and the ability to swing at any speed. This import is a bit unusual for it features Lundgren in a trio (with bassist Mattias Svensson and drummer Rasmus Kihlberg) playing ten songs written by Swedes and virtually unknown in the United States. Some of the pieces have folkish melodies or chord changes reminiscent but not exactly the same as American standards. The music fits into the modern mainstream, from boppish numbers to "Min Blekingsbygd" (which finds Lundgren hinting at the chord voicings of McCoy Tyner) and the closing ballad "Nu Har Jag Fatt Den Jag Vill Ha." Although it will be difficult to find, this enjoyable trio outing (a good example of Jan Lundgren's talents) is worth the search.