Swedish bassist
Palle Danielsson has long been a valuable sideman in a variety of jazz styles, most notably appearing on some releases from ECM, especially with
Keith Jarrett and
Charles Lloyd. On his first recording as a leader, he leads his regular quartet (pianist
Rita Marcotulli, tenor saxophonist
Joakim Milder, and drummer
Anders Kjellberg), welcoming guest guitarist
Göran Klinghagen to two of the selections. The music (five originals by
Danielsson, three from
Marcotulli, a song by
Milder, and "Monk's Mood") is a bit dry and cold in ways, without much emotion expressed, although it is expertly played. Certainly one cannot fault the individual soloists and
Danielsson (who takes the opening "Contra Post" unaccompanied) is in superior form. It just takes a few listens to be able to get into this swinging yet somewhat forbidding music. ~ Scott Yanow