This album by pianist/composer John Holstrom and his team of Niklas Barno/tp, Susanna Risberg/, Palle Sollinger/b and Gustav Nahlin/dr has 8 tunes by the leader to sonically represent “a person, a place and a period in my life.” Thus various moods are captured by the team, with a mix of rich melodicism and rhythmic grooves.
Many of the songs are filled with strong structures, such as the freeform opening’d “Dr. Pepper’s Broken Heart” or the bass pulsed “Aj, Satan” which start out with long convolutions of lyricism laid out by Barno, but eventually slide into a swinging jam. Risberg and Holmstrom’s piano team up for a lovely “Peace Song Earth” with some delicate ivories gradually building up to a wave of concluding drama. Some sweet trumpet adds texture to elliptical guitar thoughts during “Rakna Far” with some coaxing ride cymbal caressing the horn on “T.V.P.” Thoughtful themes, that may be difficult to hum, but fun to ride along with.