A fluent trombonist from Sweden,
Ola Åkerman (who is virtually unknown in the United States) is heard in excellent form on seven of his originals,
Stevie Wonder's "Another Star," "Gentle Rain," and "Cry Me a River." He is a subtle improviser who sounds perfectly at home in a pianoless quartet/quintet (with some fine guitar playing from
Johan Leijonhufvud), with pianist
Jacob Karlzon and leading a trombone section. The music swings, is full of surprises, and is often quite warm, particularly on the ballads. This excellent set is further proof that there is a large world of creative jazz music being performed outside of the U.S. ~ Scott Yanow