4 wheel-drives may cause pollution, but they go fast! Nils Landgren was keenly aware of this power when he decided to name his album 4 Wheel Drive. Alongside him, the record’s three other wheels are Michael Wollny (piano), Lars Danielsson (bass) and Wolfgang Haffner (drums). These musicians, who are some of the driving forces of today’s European jazz, play with impressive unity under the leadership of a charismatic yet never despotic leader, Swedish Nils Landgren, who plays trombone (and sings). They revisit hits of 4 major pop artists, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Phil Collins and Sting, whose songs comprise eight out of the twelve tracks on the record, choosing a fan-friendly repertoire while always adding a distinctive twist. These songs’ melodic strength in today’s collective unconscious is never weakening the band’s inspired improvisations. Even Landgren’s intimate and delicate vocals bring an innovative light. © Clotilde Maréchal/Qobuz