JAN LUNDGREN TRIO — Swedish Standards (1997-2009) Serie : ACT Jazz Classics | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

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. Scott Yanow

Re-release of a milestone in Swedish jazz history. An incredibly atmospheric interpretation of the rich Swedish folk tradition. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Solen Glimmar Blank Och Trind 5:52
Arranged By – Jan Lundgren
Written-By – C.M. Bellman
2    Sommar, Sommar, Sommar 3:06
Written-By – Eric Sandström, Sten Carlberg
3    Joachim Uti Babylon 7:01
Written-By – C.M. Bellman
4    Uti Vår Hage 3:38
 – Traditional
5    Visa Vid Vindens Ängar 3:53
Written-By – Mats Paulson
6    Min Polare Per 4:43
Written-By – Cornelis Vreeswijk
7    Waltz-A-Nova 4:41
Written-By – Bengt Hallberg
8    Säg Det Med Ett Leende 4:52
Written-By – Jokern, Miguel Torres
9    Min Blekingsbygd 7:00
Written-By – F. Strömmerstedt, Torsten Wall
10    Nu Har Jag Fått Den Jag Vill Há 3:16
Written-By – Olle Adolphson
Credits :
Bass – Mattias Svensson
Drums – Rasmus Kihlberg
Piano – Jan Lundgren

WOLFGANG HAFFNER — Kind of Spain (2017) 24-48Hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

"Kind of Spain" is, after the 50s-cool jazz and bop excursions on "Kind of Cool", Wolfgang Haffner's second ACT album with an acoustic band. The sextet creates introverted, warm, atmospheric soundscapes to which some might dream themselves onto a rooftop terrace in Granada at night. ACT
Tracklist :
1    For Vince & Arif 1:16
Composed By – Dell, Stelter, Lundgren, Danielsson, Studnitzky, Haffner
2    Pasodoble 4:22
Composed By – Lars Danielsson
3    El Faro 4:25
Composed By – Wolfgang Haffner
4    Children Of Sanchez 4:02
Composed By – Chuck Mangione
5    Tres Notas Para Decir Te Quiero 4:29
Composed By – Vicente Amigo
6    El Vito 4:21
 – Traditional
Arranged By – Lars Danielsson, Wolfgang Haffner
7    El Chaos 4:46
Composed By – Dell, Stelter, Lundgren, Danielsson, Studnitzky, Haffner
8    Concierto De Aranjuez 4:02
Composed By – Joaquín Rodrigo
9    Tàpies 1:12
Composed By – Daniel Stelter, Lars Danielsson, Wolfgang Haffner
10    Salinas 3:52
Composed By – Wolfgang Haffner
11    Recuerdos De La Alhambra 5:14
Composed By – Francisco Tárrega
12    Spain 2:43
Composed By – Chick Corea
13    Capricho Arabe 4:09
Composed By – Francisco Tárrega
Credits :
Bass – Lars Danielsson
Cover [Cover Art] – Gert & Uwe Tobias
Drums – Wolfgang Haffner
Guitar – Daniel Stelter
Piano – Jan Lundgren
Trumpet – Sebastian Studnitzky
Vibraphone – Christopher Dell

PAOLO FRESU | RICHARD GALLIANO | JAN LUNDGREN — Mare Nostrum (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Mare Nostrum's biggest surprise isn't its instrumentation -- a trio of accordion, trumpet and piano -- but how natural the combination sounds in its execution. Of course, Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu, French accordion player Richard Galliano (who is of Italian offspring), and Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren are well-known, critically praised jazz musicians who have all been known to eschew musical boundaries and defy genre limitations, so the music on Mare Nostrum -- an album co-led by all three -- shouldn't come as a surprise, nor should its quality, and yet not everybody would have expected such marvelous results. The 15 compositions on the album include originals by all three musicians and several covers, touching upon jazz, tango, classical music, and folk, reinterpreting Charles Trénet ("Que Reste-T-Il de Nos Amours?"), encompassing Antonio Carlos Jobim ("Eu Nao Existo Sem Voce"), and Maurice Ravel ("Ma Mère L'Oye"). There is an almost delightful sense of trust and ease among the three performers, who never take away their bandmates' spotlights, and who find a balance between playfulness and restraint throughout the album. The music is evocative, as if it was the soundtrack to a missing Louis Malle movie, and much of it creates a warm feeling of gentle nostalgia, even on the more up-tempo tracks. Let's hope these musicians meet again to record more music -- Mare Nostrum is a precious gem. Christian Genzel

"A little bit of tango, chanson, Satie-like sounds, coloured by jazz, result in an album that, from the first to the last note, quite relaxed, brings to light the most beautiful melodies ... the trio's music is already one of the most fascinating releases of the ACT label shortly after its release." (JAZZZEIT, AT) ACT
Tracklist :
1    Mare Nostrum 5:55
Written-By – Jan Lundgren
2    Principessa 4:35
Written-By – Richard Galliano
3    Eu Nao Existo Sem Você 2:58
Written-By – A.C. Jobim, Vinicius De Moraes
4    The Seagull 3:18
Written-By – Jan Lundgren
5    Que Reste-t-il De Nos Amours? 4:32
Written-By – Charles Trenet
6    Years Ahead 5:05
Written-By – Jan Lundgren
7    Sonia's Nightmare 4:04
Written-By – Paolo Fresu
8    Chat Pitre 3:00
Written-By – Richard Galliano
9    Valzer Del Ritorno 4:24
Written-By – Paolo Fresu
10    Open Your Mind 4:05
Written-By – Jan Lundgren
11    Liberty Waltz 4:10
Written-By – Richard Galliano
12    Mio Mehmet, Forse Il Destino M'impedirà Di Rivederti 4:29
Written-By – Paolo Fresu
13    Ma Mère L'Oye 4:28
Arranged By – Richard Galliano
Written-By – Maurice Ravel
14    Para Jobim 3:57
Written-By – Richard Galliano
15    Vårvindar Friska 3:11
 -Traditional
Arranged By – Jan Lundgren
Credits:
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Richard Galliano - Accordion, Bandoneon & Accordina
Jan Lundgren - Piano

PAOLO FRESU | RICHARD GALLIANO | JAN LUNDGREN — Mare Nostrum II (2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The sound of Europe, part two: Fresu - Galliano - Lundgren. Italy - France - Sweden. "Mare Nostrum" connects the musical cultures of its performers and countless people worldwide who eagerly listen to this European sound. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Apnea 5:05
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
2    Blue Silence 5:09
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
3    Aurore 3:57
Composed By – Richard Galliano
4    Kristallen Den Fina 3:51
 -Traditional
Arranged By [Arr. by] – Jan Lundgren
5    Giselle 5:09
Composed By – Richard Galliano
6    E Varie Notti Tre Vie Notai 4:30
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
7    Farväl 4:47
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
8    Gnossienne No. 1 4:47
Arranged By [Arr. by] – Richard Galliano
Composed By – Erik Satie
9    Lili 3:42
Composed By – Richard Galliano
10    Leklåt 4:02
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
11    Le Livre D'un Père Sarde 4:11
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
12    Si Dolce È Il Tormento 6:11
Arranged By [Arr. by] – Paolo Fresu
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
Credits:
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Richard Galliano - Accordion, Bandoneon & Accordina
Jan Lundgren - Piano

PAOLO FRESU | RICHARD GALLIANO | JAN LUNDGREN — Mare Nostrum III (2019) FLAC (tracks), lossless

„An album full of lyricism and solemnity, beautifully engineered, and exuding feelings of discovery and the joy of collaboration.“
-The Arts Journal (US)

The old saying that ‘all good things come in threes’ might be a cliché with no particular logic to it, but as a way to describe the virtues of Mare Nostrum, it’s right on the money. Twelve years ago, Sardinian trumpeter Paolo Fresu, French accordionist Richard Galliano and Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren, all from the upper echelons of European jazz, formed their trio. Each has his roots in the musical tradition of his home country, and each has used it to develop his own musical language. These are musicians who bring their individuality and inspiration to a multitude of projects in modern jazz, and so transcend borders and connect genres. All three men have poetry in their playing. Their love of melody binds them together, and does so more than ever in this new third album.

In fact, "Mare Nostrum III" completes a trilogy of albums. Right from the beginning of their decade-long collaboration, the group has had the idea of recording an album in each of their home countries. They made the first in Italy in 2007, and it took these busy musicians until 2016 to go to France and to record the second. Their third destination was Sweden, and the Nilento Studio in Gothenburg. "Once again,” says René Hess, the Swiss producer of the album, says, "it was a pure pleasure to see the sheer ease with which Paolo, Richard and Jan can create such great music."

The first thing the listener notices is the natural, spontaneous way the thread of the musical conversation unfolds. Their affinity in soul and spirit is immediately recognizable. This group of equals is a version of Europe which is united, democratic, and brings everything together. Each of the three contributed four original compositions plus a favourite piece. It is mostly possible to work out by listening who has written the pieces, and yet the trio translates into a common language; it’s a language which all have a thorough understanding of, and a genuine feeling for.

The album begins with Richard Galliano's "Blues sur Seine". It’s a plaintive piano melody reminiscent of Satie, or possibly Grieg. It’s joined by a veiled trumpet line before high notes from a lamenting accordion take over. Paris is in there, but so are fjords, Mediterranean shores and Basin Street in New Orleans. The whole thing is pure simplicity and enchantment. Characteristically Italian pathos then emerges in Fresu's "Pavese", in a natural frame of spontaneous soundscapes. Lundgren's "Love Land" has lively, cheerfully intertwining voices and a catchy theme that conjures up the magic of Swedish folklore. Then all three bring their persuasive lyricism to two of the most bittersweet melodies ever written, Michel Legrand's "The Windmills Of Your Mind" and Eduardo Di Capua's "I'te vurria vasà".

Three pieces follow that in each case deal with a very personal memory. With the wonderful "Le Jardin des Fées", Richard Galliano honours the memory of his compatriot and friend, the much-missed great jazz violinist Didier Lockwood. In "Del Soldato in trincea" Paolo Fresu recalls one of his favourite films, Ermanno Olmi's "Torneranno i prati". And Jan Lundgren strolls through the streets of "Ronneby", the small Swedish town where he grew up, with a strongly rhythmic blues-infused folk music melody. All three then bring Quincy Jones' love theme from the film "The Getaway" back to their own shores. Then follows Fresu’s concentrated "Human Requiem", played entirely on muted trumpet, and the slow sustained concentration of Galliano's "Letter To My Mother". In the final tracks, Lundgren's "The Magic Stroll", reminiscent of the musicals, and Richard Galliano's classically inspired "Prayer", with the feel of rolling along on the waves of the ocean, these three exceptional musicians have found a perfect symbiosis.

With "Mare Nostrum III", Paolo Fresu, Richard Galliano and Jan Lundgren have once again created a wonderful ballad album. Through their music they rise way above that old discussion about whatever "jazz" might be nowadays. What they have achieved instead is to bring the sound of Europe to life. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Blues Sur Seine 4:54
Composed By – Richard Galliano
2    Pavese 4:57
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
3    Love Land 4:23
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
4    The Windmills Of Your Mind 3:38
Composed By – Michel Legrand
5    I'te Vurria Vasà 4:33
Composed By – Alfredo Mazzucchi, Eduardo di Capua
6    Le Jardin Des Fées 5:12
Composed By – Richard Galliano
7    Del Soldato In Trincea 2:15
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
8    Ronneby 3:37
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
9    Love Theme From "The Getaway" 3:10
Composed By – Quincy Jones
10    Human Requiem 4:30
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
11    Letter To My Mother 5:09
Composed By – Richard Galliano
12    Love In Return 4:26
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
13    Perfetta 3:18
Composed By – Paolo Fresu
14    The Magic Stroll 2:59
Composed By – Jan Lundgren
15    Prayer 4:13
Composed By – Richard Galliano
Credits:
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
Richard Galliano - Accordion, Bandoneon & Accordina
Jan Lundgren - Piano

IDA SAND — Meet Me Around Midnight (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

29-year-old singer and pianist Ida Sand didn't feel rushed to start a solo career: Born into a musical family -- her father was an opera singer, her mother a church musician -- she studied music in Stockholm and then worked with a large number of Swedish musicians, honing her skills. One of these musicians was Nils Landgren, who gave Sand ample opportunity to show her talent on the latest release of his Funk Unit, Licence to Funk, and now that she has finally recorded an album under her own name, Landgren is on board as a producer and also guests on a number of songs. Meet Me Around Midnight is a vocal jazz album deeply influenced by blues and soul, and Sand's experience as a musician shows: she has an earthy, expressive voice, but she never feels the need to push it into the spotlight -- where other young singers make every song a showcase for their undeniably impressive technique, Sand is refreshingly relaxed and focuses on the songs, not on herself. Most of the tracks are covers, and they have been selected from a wide range of sources: Sand performs two Stevie Wonder songs ("Feeding Off the Love of the Land" and "Higher Ground"), the Eurythmics composition "Here Comes the Rain Again," Nancy Sinatra's "Bang Bang," a Lightnin' Hopkins song ("Baby Don't You Tear My Clothes") and the old Arlen-Mercer song "One for My Baby" (made famous in versions by Frank Sinatra and Etta James). She finds a fresh arrangement for most of these, some more acoustic-based, with piano, bass, drums, and vocals as the main ingredients, and others more electric, giving them a bluesy touch with guitar and electric piano. Sand's own composition "Brutal Truth" is one of the album's highlights, a funky R&B song with a soulful groove, and her beautiful piano ballad "Home" quietly ends the album. Not every song on Meet Me Around Midnight is a standout, but even the less exciting arrangements ("At Last") are performed skillfully enough to make the album work as a whole. Sand is a promising new talent on the music scene, and with her subtle feel for dynamics, Meet Me Around Midnight shows more sophistication than you'd expect from a debut album. It's simply a good listen all the way through. Christian Genzel

"Ida Sand sings with power and feeling – the best female soul voice in a long time!"- (JAZZPODIUM) ACT
Tracklist :
1    Mr Pianoman    3:38
2    Bang Bang    2:47
3    Brutal Truth    3:59
4    Every Little Bit Hurts    4:06
5    Here Comes The Rain Again    4:05
6    One For My Baby    3:50
7    Feeding Off The Love Of The Land    5:16
8    Higher Ground    4:36
9    At Last    5:05
10    Baby Don't You Tear My Clothes    2:53
11    Maybe You'll Be There    4:13
12    Use Me    3:17
13    Home    4:08
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar – Ulf Wakenius
Bass – Lars Danielsson, Ove Andersson (tracks: 12)
Cello – Lars Danielsson (tracks: 12)
Drums – Michael Edlund (tracks: 7, 10, 12), Rasmus Kihlberg
Electric Guitar – Henrik Jansson, Ola Gustafsson (tracks: 7, 10, 12)
Grand Piano – Jan Lundgren (tracks: 1, 5)
Trombone, Vocals – Nils Landgren
Vocals, Grand Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Arranged By – Ida Sand

WOLFGANG HAFFNER — Kind Of Cool (2015) FLAC (tracks), lossless

On "Kind of Cool," Wolfgang Haffner moves between tradition and modernity, taking inspiration from Cool Jazz and the Great American Songbook. In the tradition of the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet and with the spirit of Cool, timeless jazz classics are elegantly performed. Incredibly relaxed, sophisticated, self-assured, and ultimately special. Three original compositions round out the album. It takes a true all-star band to make music sound as it does on "Kind of Cool": international jazz stars who have nothing left to prove, simply enjoying the pleasure of making these pieces sound like what they are: some of the most beautiful compositions produced by 20th-century music. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Hippie 5:39
Written-By – Wolfgang Haffner
2    So What 7:21
Written-By – Miles Davis
3    Piano Man 5:05
Written-By – Billy Eckstein, Sid Kuller
4    Autumn Leaves 4:05
Written-By – Jacques Enoch, Joseph Kosma
5    Tantricity 3:22
Written-By – Wolfgang Haffner
6    Summertime 5:24
Written-By – George Gershwin
7    My Funny Valentine 7:02
Written-By – Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
8    One For Daddy O 6:26
Written-By – Nat Adderley
9    I Fall In Love Too Easily 5:57
Written-By – Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn
10    Django 5:02
Written-By – John Lewis
11    Remembrance 4:57
Written-By – Wolfgang Haffner
Credits :
Wolfgang Haffner - Drums
Christopher Dell - Vibraphone
Jan Lundgren - Piano
Dan Berglund - Bass
Dusko Goykovich - Trumpet
Jukka Perko - Alto Saxophone
Guests:
Max Mutzke - Vocals
Frank Chastenier - Piano
Christian von Kaphengst - Bass
Nils Landgren - Trombone

LARRY CORYELL & PHILIP CATHERINE JAZZ AT BERLIN PHILHARMONIC XI — The Last Call (2021) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The two guitar icons Larry Coryell and Philipp Catherine share a long history and, despite their different musical backgrounds on both sides of the Atlantic, a close musical kinship. Recorded on January 27, 2017, as part of the "Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic" series, "The Last Call" is the final recording of Larry Coryell, who passed away four weeks later on February 19, 2017. It serves as an echo of a very special relationship between two highly accomplished guitarists, filled with creative compatibility, enthusiasm, and deep mutual understanding. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine–    Miss Julie 7:14
Written-By – Larry Coryell
2    Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine–    Homecomings 6:58
Written-By – Philip Catherine
3    Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine–    Manhã De Carnaval (From Orfeu Negro) 7:07
Written-By – Antônio Maria, Luiz Bonfá
4    Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine–    Jemin-Eye'n 5:28
Written-By – Larry Coryell
5    Philip Catherine and Jan Lundgren–    Embraceable You 4:54
Written-By – George Gershwin
6    Larry Coryell and Lars Danielsson–    Bags' Groove 6:43
Written-By – Milt Jackson
7    Larry Coryell, Philip Catherine, Lars Danielsson, Jan Lundgren and Paolo Fresu–    Green Dolphin Street 9:31
Written-By – Oscar Peterson
Credits :
Artwork [Cover Art Based And Inspired By A Work Of] – Alain Biltereyst