Review: Anna-Maria Nordström - Mod (Varva Records and Music)

Anna-Maria Nordström's new album is no eurovision, it's pure MOD!

And as it's Mod revival month, 1964 and all that / scooter rally to the seaside, Anna-Maria Nordström 'MOD' has more than a touch of 60s jazz-modern to it along with more recent "back in the day" Nordic jazz was that was all about nu-jazz leaders on Jazzland headed by the likes of Bugge Wesseltoft, Wibutee, Sidsel Endresen, Beady Belle and more.

Fans of the vibrazone (Ed. kids, ask your grand-parents) will love this album as singer, composer, arranger, producer literally swings from Norma Winstone to big band bop boarders.

'Det outsagda' is a jazz-dance shuffler that's deep that's in contrast to the angular instrumental 'The Otherside', that's definitely on the other side. And talking of other sides, 'Så säg' sounds like Swedish jazz poetry meets Corey Wilcox whilst there's 'MOD' beats in the 'In Phase' that goes a bit Pat Metheny.

The band, Jonathan Kronevik (trumpet), Johan Jansson (drums), Per Johansson (piano), 

Martin Olsson (bass), Magnus Sjölander (alto saxophone), Per Nilsson (soprano and tenorsaxophone), Jakob Sollerman (trombone), give the album a cross "We Jazz" Big Band and Schema fusion vibe.

There's definitely a lot of jazzy Herbie keys in 'Papa' and the singing the lyrics in Swedish gives it an unusal dynamic (to these English language attuned ears) that could be skating / improvisional.  Did I say fusion, get the Jaco/Thundercat bass on 'Wallys' which is in total contrast to the "big vocal number", 'Början'.

If you love all things Five Corners, Gard Nilssen, Jimi Tenor, Olli Ahvenlahti and more, this album is a must, "We are the MODS!" as you might have heard before. 

Artist: Anna-Maria Nordström 

Title: MOD

Release date: 19th April, 2024

Label: Varva Records and Music

Cat. No: -

Format:  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Joel Haag - Bistro (Varva Records and Music)

The guitarist is oft overlooked as main man in a jazz band setting but here's some modern electric that's you'll want to find in any 'Bistro', Ladies and Gentlemen, Joel Haag.

Following on from the recent album 'Mod' by Anna-Maria Nordström (on the same label - see review HERE), Joel's 'Bistro' is his second album, his first album, 'Six Feet Apart' that was more a jazz trio plus strings.

So 'Bistro' is like neither of these and then, like the orignial interpretation of the word. "a small restaurant serving moderately priced, simple meals in a modest setting", this is not the "look at me" jazz guitar of Pat Metheny (sometimes), George Benson (when he was popular), James 'Blood' Ulmar' or going right back the "original", Charlie Christian.  

This is simple and at times elegant modern jazz, like the slow blues of 'Old Watch Still Ticking' and 'The Wailing', that's reminiscent of all of above in a band form.

The highlight is the atmospheric OST "free jazz" of 'Song For Peace' - a tad over 10 minutes long - and like the rest of the ablum, in additon to Haag on guitar, highlights Adrian Åsling Sellius (alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute), Pelle Westlin (tenor sax, clarinet), Björn Petersson (bass) and Anton Jonsnson (drums).

More for fans of Art Ensemble of Chicago, Mike Reed (see review HERE) or a harder edged J.J. Whitefield - possily a combination of all three!

Artist: Joel Haag

Title: Bistro

Release date: 2nd May, 2024

Label: Varva Records and Music

Cat No. VRAMCD07

Format: CD / Digital