ESBJÖRN SVENSSON TRIO — Plays Monk (1996-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The music of Thelonius Monk is a peculiar mixture of simplicity and and complexity; of larguorous ballads and rhythms turned inside out. The music is a challenge.
„You can always give it your personal touch“, explains Esbjörn. On „Plays Monk“you notice this over and over again.
 „Plays Monk“ is the telling title of the CD from 1996 by Esbjörn Svensson Trio (e.s.t.)
Ten of the most beloved songs by Monk, from nocturnal, lovingly caressing „Round Midnight“ to the gay and sprightly „Rhythm-A-Ning“, get a becomingly shining new colour here. ACT
Tracklist :
1    I Mean You 6:47
Arranged By [Strings] – Dan Berglund
Strings – Elisabeth Arnberg, Ulf Forsberg, Ulrika Edström, Ulrika Jansson
2    Criss Cross    5:48
3    'Round Midnight 6:13
Arranged By [Strings] – Esbjörn Svensson
Music By – B. Hanighen, C. Williams
Strings – Elisabeth Arnberg, Ulf Forsberg, Ulrika Edström, Ulrika Jansson
4    Bemsha Swing 7:22
Music By – D. Best
Percussion – Esbjörn Svensson
5    Rhythm-A-Ning    4:03
6    In Walked Bud    6:40
7    Little Rootie Tootie    4:04
8    Eronel    4:59
9    Evidence    5:05
10    Crepuscule With Nellie    6:40
Credits :
Esbjörn Svensson - Piano
Dan Berglund - Bass
Magnus Öström - Drums

ESBJÖRN SVENSSON TRIO — e.s.t. Live (1995-2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 More about the album:
They have been lauded as the "New sound in the Old World", and as "high voltage out of Sweden"; the group has been called "possibly the best jazz trio in the world". The Esbjörn Svensson Trio's - known as EST - rise to the heights has been almost frightening. After their first major success in Sweden, their international breakthrough came in 1999 during the ACT World Jazz Night at the Montreux Jazz Festival. In the following years EST was a sensation throughout Europe, and they are now on the path to continuing their success story in the USA. It's no wonder that, especially when playing "live", EST lets loose an almost unbelievable energy - and this energy appears to grow from tour to tour - a rising star that shines ever brighter.

Stars sometimes shine much longer than one would think. And here are recordings that demonstrate this is true for EST. The band, which was first formed in 1993, quickly found their very special sound. However, at first, no one outside EST's homeland was aware of them. Six years ago, in 1995, when Esbjörn Svensson still had long hair, and wore a headband, a record titled "Mr. And Mrs. Handkerchief", which consisted of live air shots from various towns in Sweden, was released. A year later, EST recorded the album "Esbjörn Svensson Trio Plays Monk" (recently re-released as ACT.). It reached the undreamed of sales of 10,000 CD's nationwide. Those who have heard how the trio played back then can attest that it was breathtaking music (for a quick listen: track 5).

Much of what characterizes EST's play today was already well-defined in 1995: the unity and riveting strength of the inter-play, the compelling themes - themes that immediately jump out at the listener, and yet are never burdened with cliches. Then there are the musical influences of the likes of Thelonious Monk and Kieth Jarrett, which are fused into a unique style that is again and again infected by the forward-thrust of rock. Magic moments are preserved for posterity in these live takes. In tracks three and seven, Svensson plays on an upright piano that doesn't even come close to the brilliance and clarity of a concert grand - and yet, these recordings are pearls. The trio had by this time mastered the ability to react spontaneously to the inspiration of the moment.

Absolutely no difference from today? On their latest tours EST sounded tighter, less raw, with the impetuosity of wilder times more under control. Comparison with the masterpiece "Dodge the Dodo" from the 1999 Montreux concert (bonus CD) shows that the trio's development has not been by leaps and bounds, but has been a continual process. Esbjörn Svensson himself has stated most clearly how much the music from past periods influences the band; "Obviously we develop all the time, both as individuals and as a group. But development isn't only about blind process. So instead of just going forward, in places we've chosen to refer back to our earlier sound, to what we had on our first two albums." That's already reason enough to pay new attention to "EST LIVE '95". Roland Spiegel, translated by Marty Cook ACT
Tracklist :
1    Say Hello To Mr. D (To Mr. S)    9:12
2    The Rube Thing    5:28
3    Happy Heads And Crazy Feds    5:20
4    The Day After (Leaving)    4:39
5    Like Wash It Or Something    8:57
6    Breadbasket    5:06
7    What Did You Buy Today    3:10
8    Hymn Of The River Brown    5:13
9    Same As Before    6:25
10    Mr. & Mrs. Handkerchief    7:19
– BONUS TRACK –
11    Dodge The Dodo "Live In Montreux"    10:00
Credits :
Esbjörn Svensson - Piano
Dan Berglund - Bass
Magnus Öström - Drums

DAN BERGLUND'S TONBRUKET — Dan Berglund's Tonbruket (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

"With Tonbruket, Dan Berglund continues on the path exactly where the star of e.s.t. burned out." JAZZTHING ACT
Tracklist :
1    Sister Sad    6:28
Written-By – Martin Hederos
2    Stethoscope    2:21
Written-By – Johan Lindström
3    Sailor Waltz    9:45
Written-By – Dan Berglund
4    Gi Hop    4:18
Written-By – Johan Lindström
5    The Wind And The Leaves    3:03
Written-By – Johan Lindström
6    Wolverine Hoods    6:09
Written-By – Dan Berglund / Martin Hederos
7    Monstrous Colossus    5:26
Written-By – Johan Lindström
8    Song For E    6:32
Written-By – Martin Hederos
9    Cold Blooded Music    7:37
Written-By – Dan Berglund / Johan Lindström
10    Waltz For Matilda 3:43
Written-By – Johan Lindström
Piano – Johan Lindström
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar – Johan Lindström
Double Bass – Dan Berglund
Drums, Percussion – Andreas Werliin
Piano, Organ [Pump], Violin, Keyboards, Accordion – Martin Hederos

NILS LANDGREN FUNK UNIT — 5000 Miles (1999) APE (image+.cue), lossless

The album was awarded the German Jazz Award and received an Echo nomination. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Da Fonk 4:48
Trumpet – Roy Hargrove
Vocals – MCP, NL
Vocals [Xtra] – JR, PRJ, RÖ, Siegfried Loch
Written-By – Magnum Coltrane Price
2    5000 Miles 8:12
Trumpet – Tim Hagans
3    Six Beauties On A Rooftop 5:39
Percussion – Åke Sundqvist
Trombone [Solo] – Fred Wesley
4    Sisters Of Arequipa 5:57
Flugelhorn – Roy Hargrove
Grand Piano, Synthesizer [Oberheim Obs] – ES
5    In A Fonky Mood    5:01
6    Stop By 4:31
Lead Vocals – MCP
Organ [Hammond] – RÖ
Vocals – NL
Written-By – Rashan Patterson
7    Roxane 5:31
Mixed By – Jan Ugand
Percussion – Åke Sundqvist
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Till Brönner
Vocals – Viktoria Tolstoy
8    Professor Longhair 5:04
Bass [Accoustic] – Dan Berglund
9    Venus As A Boy 5:00
Flute [Chinese], Percussion [Mallets] – PRJ
Written-By – Björk
10    Nasty 5:22
Trombone – Fred Wesley
Trumpet – Tim Hagans
11    Glen & Steve    5:30
Credits :
Design [Cover] – Petra Horn
The Funk Unit :
Nils Landgren - Trombone & Vocals
Per Ruskträsk Johansson - Saxes & Wooden Flute
Robert Östlund - Guitars & Hammond Organ
Esbjörn Svensson - Fender Rhodes, Grand Piano & Keybords
Magnum Coltrane Price - Fender Bass & Vocals
Janne Robertson – Drums
Guest Unit:
Henrik Janson - Guitar
Johan Norberg - Sitar Guitar
Åke Sundqvist - Percussion
Magnus Öström - Percussion
Dan Berglund - Accoustic Bass
Special guests:
Don Alias - Percussion
Till Brönner - Fluegelhorn
Roy Hargrove - Trumpet and Fluegelhorn
Tim Hagans - Trumpet
Viktoria Tolstoy - Vocals
Fred Wesley (BMF) - T

ESBJÖRN SVENSSON TRIO — 301 (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A couple of months after pianist Esbjörn Svensson passed away in 2008 after a freak diving accident, what was thought to be the band's final album, Leucocyte, was released. It was considered final because the pianist had been involved in its mixing and sequencing as he had each of their previous 11 albums. The release of 301 comes as a surprise. The material included here was chosen from nine hours of tape recorded during the Leucocyte sessions -- which was, interestingly, originally conceived as a double album. The band fully expected another album would be culled from the remaining material. E.S.T. cut Leucocyte while on tour, having no compositions; what emerged came came out of individual ideas or group jams, making this set feel very much like an extension of the previous recording. The band's surviving members, bassist Dan Berglund and drummer Magnus Öström, along with regular sound engineer Åke Linton, all participated in 301's assemblage (named for the 301 Studios in Sydney). While it may have been sequenced or even mixed a bit differently had Svensson lived, everything here comes together as a compelling whole. Svensson was always keen to embrace more electronic sounds alongside his explorations of post-bop, and they are present here in tracks such as the formlessly experimental noise of "Houston, The 5th," the spacious electronic ambience that constantly yet hesitantly adorns the the backdrop (and even Svensson's piano occasionally) on the gorgeous, sinister "Inner City, City Lights," and in Berglund's blasting, fuzzed-out, phase-shifting basslines on the lengthy "Three Falling Free Part II." But the trio's jazz chops are abundant throughout. Opener "Behind the Stars" is a lovely, lilting, solo piano ballad. Another highlight is the stretched, swinging, balancing act of harmonic engagement in the nearly 14 minute "The Left Lane," while there's yet another shimmering blues in closer "The Childhood Dream." Ultimately, 301 proves that E.S.T. ended the way they came in, as a committed jazz group constantly seeking new ways of expanding the piano trio format as well the parameters of the music itself. This is not only a fine addition to their catalog, it is one of the finest entries in it.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-

The Legacy - Part II: More original recordings by the legendary Esbjörn Svensson Trio from their last session at Studio 301 in Sydney, Australia. A triumphant echo of an unforgotten band and homage to the jazz innovator who died in 2008. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Behind The Stars    3:44
2    Inner City, City Lights    11:48
3    The Left Lane    13:37
4    Houston, The 5th    3:34
5    Three Falling Free Part I    5:49
6    Three Falling Free Part II    14:30
7    The Childhood Dream    8:02
Credits :
Composed By – Dan Berglund, Esbjörn Svensson, Magnus Öström
Cover – Björn Kusoffsky
Double Bass, Electronics – Dan Berglund
Drums, Voice [Voices], Electronics – Magnus Öström
Grand Piano, Electronics, Electronics [Transistor Radio] – Esbjörn Svensson
Performer [Performed By], Producer [Produced By] – E.S.T.

NILS LANDGREN — The Moon, The Stars And You (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Re-release of a milestone in Swedish jazz history. An incredibly atmospheric interpretation of the rich Swedish folk tradition. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Moonshadow 5:11
Written-By – Cat Stevens
2    The Moon, The Stars And You 3:28
Written-By – Michael Wollny, Nils Landgren
3    Oh You Crazy Moon 3:34
Written-By – Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
4    Joe's Moonblues 3:57
Written-By – Nils Landgren
5    Angel Of Fortune 4:52
Written-By – Cæcilie Norby, Lars Danielsson
6    Moon River 4:32
Written-By – Henry Mancini
7    Til' There Was You 3:18
Written-By – Meredith Willson
8        Stars In Your Eyes 4:28
Written-By – Herbie Hancock
9    Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends 4:37
Written-By – Kris Kristofferson
10    The Moon’s A Harsh Mistress 4:45
Written-By – Jimmy Webb
11    Holofotes 5:27
Written-By – Antonio Cicero, João Bosco, Waly
12    Lost In The Stars 7:22
Written-By – Kurt Weill
Credits :
Bass – Dan Berglund (tracks: 1), James Genus (tracks: 11), Lars Danielsson (tracks: 2 to 10)
Cover [Cover Art] – Martin Noël
Drums – Kiko Freitas (tracks: 11), Rasmus Kihlberg (tracks: 2, 3, 7, 10), Robert Ikiz (tracks: 12)
Drums, Percussion – André Ferrari (tracks: 1)
Guest, Accordion – Richard Galliano (tracks: 1, 6)
Guest, Backing Band – The NDR Big Band (tracks: 10)
Guest, Drums – Steve Gadd (tracks: 4, 5, 9)
Guest, Guitar, Vocals – João Bosco (tracks: 11)
Guest, Orchestra – The Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (tracks: 12)
Guest, Piano – Joe Sample (tracks: 4)
Piano – Michael Wollny (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 9)
Trombone – Nils Landgren (tracks: 2 to 12)
Vocals – Cæcilie Norby (tracks: 5), Nils Landgren (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7 to 10, 12)

TONBRUKET — Dig it to the end (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Originally formed in 2009 by bassist Dan Berglund (formerly e.s.t.), guitarist Johan Lindström (Per Texas Johansson), pianist Martin Hederos (Soundtrack Of Our Lives) and drummer Andreas Werliin (Wildbirds & Peacedrums), Swedish super-group TONBRUKET (‘tone workshop’) have created another masterpiece with their second outing “Dig it to the end”.

Although their eponymous debut album was a concept album as well, with “Dig it to the end” they define their unique band sound and style even further and carve out their musical niche combining instrumental prog-rock with improvisational elements. The album title “Dig it to the end” refers to the compositional and the recording process. “We went the extra mile to really carve out the songs and compositions. It was like shuffling earth to excavate the true heart, meaning and soul of each song”, explains Johan Lindström, who with six songs to his name was again the most active composer. “But then you are also free to interpret it as an invitation to really listen carefully to all songs. It is worth it”, he adds with a twinkle.

The basic tracks were laid down in Stockholm´s Atlantis Studio. From there they took the tapes to Johan Lindström´s Hammarby Studios and over a few weeks refined, edited, mixed and added to reach the ultimate result.

There are some stories hidden behind the titles of the songs. “Vinegar Heart” was inspired by Indian writer Arundhati Roy´s novel ‘The God of Small Things’. Kochu Maria is described in the book as the vinegar-hearted, short-tempered, midget cook, who does not speak English and eventually becomes a television addict. “Le Var”, one of the key songs on the album, is a territory in France located around the perfume town of Grasse. Read backwards it becomes ‘Ravel’, and for Tonbruket Debussy and Ravel have both been inspirations as both of them are “the first jazz composers, judged by the chords they are using”, and “Le Var” becomes the band’s ‘Bolero’. To break with the classical rhythm of the ‘Bolero’ Tonbruket lay a Mambo-style rhythm underneath the tune. “This twist to the music was very much inspired by my appreciation of Perez Prado – Cuba´s Mambo King”, says Lindström.

Johan Lindström, who contributed the majority of songs to Tonbruket’s debut album, is a self-taught musician. He started playing the piano at the age of 12 and picked up the guitar at 13, forming his first band 14. “It was something like a ‘Beatles Revival Band’. For roughly two years we did nothing but play Beatles´ songs all the time. Then at 16 I started to compose my own songs.” says Lindström. By the age of 19 he had become a first-call session musician and string arranger on the Swedish studio scene. Ten years on he opened his own studio ‘Hammarby Studios’ where he has produced over 30 albums to date, simultaneously arranging, composing and creating sounds for artists such as Nina Kinert, Freddy Wadling and Anna Ternheim.

Lindström has played with Per Texas Johansson´s band, and has recorded with Elvis Costello (producer) for an album with Anne Sofie von Otter. He is best known for his unique use of guitars and pedal steel. There are not many musicians outside of country music that use the pedal steel’s distinctive sound - David Gilmore from Pink Floyd, or Paul Franklin from Dire Straits are probably among the best known – but for Tonbruket it has also become part of their signature sound.

Johan Lindström and Dan Berglund met for the first time 11 years ago when they both played for a short time in Per Texas Johansson´s band. Dan remembers that they always had a lot of fun together and throughout his e.s.t. years they never lost contact, with Dan even performing. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Vinegar Heart    8:59
Written-By – Johan Lindström
2    Balloons    5:25
Written-By – Martin Hederos
3    Decent Life    3:56
Written-By – Johan Lindström
4    Lilo    4:00
Written-By – Dan Berglund
5    Lighthouse    3:21
Written-By – Johan Lindström
6    Dig It To The End    3:31
Written-By – Dan Berglund
7    Gripe    2:40
Written-By – Martin Hederos
8    Grandma's Haze    4:09
Written-By – Johan Lindström
9    Le Var    4:59
Written-By – Johan Lindström
10    Trackpounder    6:08
Written-By – Johan Lindström
11    Draisine Song    3:22
Written-By – Martin Hederos
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Pedal Steel Guitar, Keyboards – Johan Lindström
Artwork [Cover Artwork], Photography By [Studio Pictures] – Jesper Waldersten
Double Bass – Dan Berglund
Drums [Additional] – Nino Keller (tracks: 10)
Drums, Percussion – Andreas Werliin
Electric Organ [Hammond] – Tomas Hallonsten (tracks: 9)
Percussion – Nino Keller (tracks: 3, 9)
Piano, Pump Organ, Keyboards, Violin – Martin Hederos

ROBERTO Di GIOIA'S MARSMOBIL — Strange World (2003) ACT : Nu Jazz Series | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

"They weren't even as cunningly hip as the seventies themselves" - (RONDO) ACT
Tracklist :
1    Flowers 3:42
Vocals – Lisa Wahlandt
2    Hand In Hand 5:30
Flugelhorn – Till Brönner
3    Crazy 5 3:56
Lead Vocals – Lisa Wahlandt
Tenor Saxophone – Johannes Enders
Trombone – Nils Landgren
4    Strange World 2:59
Baritone Saxophone – Steffen Schorrn
Bass – Thomas Stabenow
Lead Vocals – Lisa Wahlandt
5    Silver Dreamer 4:03
Lead Vocals – Lisa Wahlandt
Tenor Saxophone – Johannes Enders
6    Love Contains All Human Spirit 4:15
Baritone Saxophone – Steffen Schorrn
Lead Vocals – Lisa Wahlandt
Strings – The FleshQuartet
Trumpet – Joo Kraus
7    Talam Mishra 5:11
Flute – Klaus Doldinger
8    Trust 4:48
Guitar – Frank Möbus
9    Ragha Sid 4:55
Tenor Saxophone – Johannes Enders
10    Sir Revival 4:31
Flute – Wigald Boning
11    Private Ocean 3:58
Bass – Dan Berglund
12    Yelloworange 4:15
Tenor Saxophone – Johannes Enders
Credits :
Roberto Di Gioia - Piano, Guitar, Wurlitzer, Fender Rhodes, Tables, Sitar, Sings and did all Bass and Drum programming
Specials Guests:
Lisa Wahlandt - Lead Vocals
Dan Berglund, Wigald Boning, Till Brönner, Klaus Doldinger, Johannes Enders, The FleshQuartet, Joo Kraus, Nils Landgren, Frank Möbus, Steffen Schorn, Thomas Stabenow, Staffan Svensson

ESBJÖRN SVENSSON TRIO — Live In Hamburg (2007) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In a word: wow. Since their 1993 debut album, the Esbjörn Svensson Trio, or E.S.T., as it is usually called, have taken the jazz world by storm, winning numerous awards, playing sold-out world tours, topping the charts, and generally enjoying a popularity that's exceeded that of almost any other jazz group in years. The trio was also the first European jazz group to grace the cover of Down Beat magazine, which led to long discussions about the heritage of jazz and the validity of European jazz; and, naturally, it caused some listeners to perceive an artificial hype and discredit the band for simply not being as brilliant as everyone says they are. Well, do yourself a favor and do not listen to the detractors -- listen to E.S.T.'s music instead, and this two-hour concert recorded on November 22, 2006 in Hamburg, Germany, is an excellent place to start, since it shows the superb musicianship of pianist Esbjörn Svensson, bassist Dan Berglund, and drummer Magnus Öström minus any studio trickery; it shows their exquisite communication with each other, their daring improvisations, their effortless flow -- and most of all, it shows their unique brand of music, where a jazz trio can easily incorporate heavy metal distortion during a song ("Definition of a Dog"), then play a sparse, lovely ballad ("The Goldhearter Miner"), and where funk, classical, and avant-garde music elements are incorporated into a sound that never feels academic or difficult to listen to. The band plays everything with the energy of a rock group (Jim Rakete's liner photography even makes them look like one), and the music is often edgy, but the hypnotic repetitions and the building intensity of many tracks often have an almost trance-like quality. The question whether E.S.T. play jazz or pop or rock is completely beside the point: yes, this is jazz, as jazz has always evolved and incorporated new ideas (and almost all of the important developments in jazz have been derided by critics as not being "true jazz" in their time). Yes, this is pop, as it's accessible and, well, popular. And yes, this is rock, with its energy and recklessness. But essentially, it's just unique and exciting music. Christian Genzel
Tracklist 1 :
1    Tuesday Wonderland    13:12
2    The Rube Thing    14:23
3    Where We Used To Live    8:33
4    Eighthundred Streets By Feet    9:35
5    Definition Of A Dog    18:36
Tracklist 2 :
1    The Goldhearted Miner    7:03
2    Dolores In A Shoestand    17:39
3    Sipping On The Solid Ground    7:58
4    Goldwrap    6:14
5    Behind The Yashmak    15:32
Credits:
Piano – Esbjörn Svensson
Bass – Dan Berglund
Drums – Magnus Öström

TONBRUKET – Forevergreens (2016) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The fourth album by Tonbruket, "Forevergreens," represents a complete new beginning. Some tracks are extremely quiet, romantic, and acoustically jazzed, while others use prog-rock as a springboard to position themselves close to heavy metal. It's all about contrasts. Despite the differences in the tracks, they don't just focus on a specific aspect but rather on the band as a whole. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Intro    0:33
2    Mano Sinistra    7:07
3    Sinkadus    6:24
4    Tarantella    6:22
5    Music For The Sun King    5:43
6    The Missing    4:47
7    Frösön    4:22
8    Linton    5:51
9    First Flight Of A Newbird    4:48
10    Passage Europa    1:13
11    Polka Oblivion    5:18
Tonbruket are :
Dan Berglund - Double Bass
Johan Lindström - Guitar, Pedal Steel, Keyboards
Martin Hederos - Piano, Synthesizers, Violin
Andreas Werliin - Drums
Guests:
Ane Brun - Spoken Words (1), Voice (3)
Per Texas Johansson - Bass Clarinet
Anna Högberg - Baritone Saxophone
Martin Holm - Tenor Saxophone (11)