Having dispensed with the ABBA and Max Martin pop references in the recent review I wrote of the title track (and first single) from bassist Erik Palmberg’s third full length album Faces, it was a pleasure to hold up that hypnotic and vibrant track as a reflection of the truth that some of the planet’s hippest and most infectious jazz vibes today are originating in Sweden.
“Faces” was just the tip of the proverbial Euro-centric contemporary jazz iceberg created by Palmberg’s quartet, which since releasing their 2021 collection In Between has earned numerous critical accolades, a growing fan base and, perhaps most telling of all, the influential Swedish jazz magazine Orkesterjournalen’s #1 reader’s poll ranking. Prior to forming the quartet, Palmberg released his 2018 debut First Lines featuring other musicians and has been a sideman or featured musician in many Swedish jazz groups, including Horncraft, Lexingtone, the newly reborn Swedish Radio Jazz Group and Blue House Jazz Orchestra. The quartet includes four equally accomplished and storied musicians, including Anton Dromberg (piano), Niklas Wennstrom (double bass) and Sebastian Voelger (drums).
Palmberg gives the listener a heads up on what to expect when he says of Faces: “It’s all about expression and creating a musical environment where we all can shine, both individually and as a group.” The bassist further explains that the uber-melodic, rhythmically eclectic, improvisation-filled 10-track session is the culmination of the powerful musical rapport the four musicians developed on a recent tour, which led to some wonderful shared experiences that resulted in some fascinating musical expressions.
As mentioned in the previous review, this compelling “road warrior” vibe comes to passionate life from the opening traveling piano flurries, plucky basslines and highly locomotive percussive brushes on the title track. That’s just the start of the inventive, intuitive and adventurous ride that continues on moody, soulful tunes like “Daybreak,” which rolls like dynamic, intertwining melodic and solo-filled conversation between Dromberg and Palmberg and features some of the latter’s most heartfelt musings; and the easy swaying, cosmopolitan tinged “French Flavors,” which evolves into a more hustling, bustling romp.
The titles “Behind the Clouds” and “Birch Trees” speak to the uniquely poetic and impressionistic nature of the two tunes. The soothing trumpet breezes at the start of “Behind the Clouds” give way to more intense blowing, followed by a deep sensual duality between Dromberg and Wennstrom; “Birch Trees” takes on more of a classic, muted trumpet driven traditional jazz with plucky basslines and spirited drumming. “Hits and Misses” is the quartet’s barn-burning free for all, all jump, quickened rhythmic pulsating and hard blowing excitement by Palmberg.
Calming the pace considerably, and showcasing the quartet’s more romantic styled expressions, is the gently haunting, meditative ballad (and second single) “Silver Moon,” which they offset powerfully with the simmering, funky and playfully swinging “Views.”
Complementing Palmberg’s eight originals are richly inspired takes on two well-known standards, a charming, spritely stroll through “I Remember You,” originally recorded by Jimmy Dorsey and highlighted by another phenomenal Dromberg solo and a spirited dance with Palmberg’s playful trumpet soloing; and a reflective, dreamy, twist on “Moon and Sand” which closes the set with grace, eloquence and tenderness.
Faces is a truly dazzling recording reflecting the exciting camaraderie of the Erik Palmberg quartet, which will hopefully keep the Swedish (and by extension, global) jazz scene exciting and hopping for the foreseeable future.
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