Some jazz recordings are simply too complex to be adequately absorbed on the first or second listen. One example is
Breathing Clusters, a collection of very angular, cerebral post-bop and avant-garde jazz by Swedish pianist
Susanna Lindeborg and her quartet
Mwendo Dawa (which includes tenor saxophonist Ove Johansson, bassist Jimmi Roger Pedersen and drummer David Sundby). Embracing pieces by members of the group,
Lindeborg emphasizes the abstract and doesn't exactly go out of her way to be accessible.
Thelonious Monk is a major influence on the pianist, who also brings to mind explorers ranging from
Herbie Nichols to
Paul Bley. Left-of-center, difficult instrumentals like "Without Glass" and "AntiTime Zone" make no effort to meet the listeners half way -- they must be willing to accept this uncompromising music on
Lindeborg's own terms. Decent, if less than essential,
Breathing Clusters was released in Sweden on the LJ label. ~ Alex Henderson