Record Reviews

ALF HAGGKVIST ~ BLUE SERGE LOSEN 172 (Barcode: 7090025831720) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the second album on the Norwegian LosenFind albums on this label Records by the Swedish pianist / composer Alf HaggkvistFind albums by this artist; this time a solo piano album, which presents eight compositions, four of which are Haggkvist originals and four are well known standards. The music, both the original compositions and the treatment of the standards, are full of lyricism and typical Nordic stylistic idiosyncrasies, which aesthetically are much closer to Norwegian and Danish Jazz than to Swedish Jazz, which in turn is usually much closer to the American Tradition. In any case Haggkvist is obviously deeply rooted in European Jazz aesthetic, which also comes to full view in the open and even almost completely Free original pieces featured on this album (most appropriately entitled "Freely One" and "Freely Two"). The album presents a diverse spectrum of styles, which are more hinted than explicitly stated, which range from the early Ragtime / Boogie-woogie to the a.m. Free Jazz, with Haggkvist feeling completely at home with them all. His technique is spotless and his touch on the keyboard is caressing and sensuous, always right on the money. Overall this is a beautiful solo piano album, perfectly composed, executed and recorded, all up to the highest standards, which should more that satisfy even the sternest music connoisseurs. There is esthetical food for almost the entire Jazz listening audience, from standards to well organized Free Jazz, which is a very rare phenomenon on today´s record market, with Haggkvist being brilliantly cross-sub-genre perfect. Thank you Maestro for this little gem, which makes our world a tiny bit spiritually richer and emotionally happier!

Updated: 17/05/2017Posted: 17/05/2017

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ALF HAGGKVIST ~ FOG LOSEN 133 (Barcode: 7090025831331) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the third album by Swedish Jazz pianist / composer Alf HaggkvistFind albums by this artist and his trio with bassist Filip AugustsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Krister HaggkvistFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eleven original compositions, all by Alf Haggkvist, except for two harmonic structures based on well known standards. The music is a typical melodic modern mainstream Jazz with Nordic atmosphere full of melancholy and reflection. Dedicated to the Scandinavian weather, no wander the music is rather tranquil and subdued, but the melodic themes are all solid and the music flows gently, with occasional free form passages, which spice the proceedings. The trio plays very well together, with the rhythm section supporting the piano amicably and Augustson playing some excellent bass solos. There is not much place for surprises here and lovers of classic piano trio albums should find this album ideally suiting their milieu. On the other hand this album does not innovate or explore any new territory as far as mainstream Jazz is concerned, which of course is not something every album has to do. It is still a perfectly valid and solid piece of music, which Jazz connoisseurs should enjoy in full.

Updated: 22/11/2016Posted: 22/11/2016

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