It’s albums like this that get you excited about jazz again!
First, it’s also reassuring that there are other bands in Sweden besides ABBA. Do I get an “Amen”?
The group Stockholm Voices consists of Gunilla Tornfeldt/sop, M aria WInther/alto, Alexander Lovmark/ten and Jakob Sollevi/bar. The are supported by a hip core team of Klas Lindquist/as, Carl Bagge/p, Svante Soderqvist/b and Calle Rasmusson/dr, occasionally supplemented with a guitar and horn section for added punch, such as the Caribbean “Calico Skies” with some searing sax work for Winther’s passioned delivery. Sollevi digs into the modal “My Valentine” along with some tenor sax work by Fredrik LIndborg while the woodwinds of Alberto Pinton and Axel Mardsjo meld well with the dreamy vocal harmonies on “Little Willow”.
As for covers, the band emphasizes songs from The Beatles, and deliver a funky s oul with horns on the shuffling and fun take of “Get Back” while the vocal blend sizzles on “Paperback Writer”. Bagge and the ladies are gentle on “Norwegian Wood” and there is a door dash of call and response for “With A Little Help From My Friends”. Fresh, inspired and inspiring. Put them on a fast boat to the States!