– THE PEACEFUL PROTEST –

“One day, one room, one album” – that was the motto for renowned Swedish musicians Martin Östergren (piano) and Dan Strömkvist (drums) when they embarked on the adventure that would culminate in their debut album (as band-leaders) Liam’s Labyrinth.

Joined by bass player Josef Kallerdahl, that motto would ultimately be brought to life one sunny winter day in December 2019.

The album’s title track perfectly captures the spirit of wanton abandon and fearless ambition generated by the unorthodox recording technique.

“It is an extremely fun and liberating approach that is based on responsiveness and music making in the moment” say the band. “To us, that’s exactly what jazz is all about: responsiveness and quick reflexes.”

What I love about Liam’s Labyrinth is the way it relentlessly builds and bellows through its middle-section, straining at the edges of what each musicians’ instrument is comfortable doing. Every time I listen to it, I’m lulled into a quiet contemplation, only to be shaken back to life by Östergren’s rising piano lines.

I’ll be honest, this track makes me want to be a better man.

If you like this, try my review of GoGo Penguin’s Atomised.

The album, Liam’s Labyrinth is out now through Mardano records.

HEAR MORE HERE

JAX BEATS + BLK OZWALD + ROSIE P: CHILLS
MEDHANE: I’M DEADASS
⣎⡇ꉺლ༽இ•̛)ྀ◞ ༎ຶ ༽ৣৢ؞ৢ؞ؖ ꉺლ: ࿃ूੂ࿃ूੂੂ࿃ूੂOOOOOOOOOOOO　̟̞̝̜̙̘̗̖҉̵̴̨̧̢̡̼̻̺̹̳̲̱̰̯̮̭̬̫̪̩̦̥̤̣̠҈͈͇͉͍͎͓͔͕͖͙͚͜͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢͢ͅ ooooooooo
JAZZAGENTUREN: LÅNGFREDAG

P.S. You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the Future Jazz Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

Until next time, love and noise.

– SV –