Jan
Harbeck (tenor sax); Henrik Gunde (piano) Eske Nørrelykke (bass); Anders Holm
(drums)
This is a lovely album of solid blowing, pretty firmly in
the mainstream and all the stronger for it. Harbeck’s influences include many
of the old masters (Webster, Getz, Gordon) and he’s backed by a solid rhythm
section and it all makes for a hugely enjoyable forty or so minutes. Gunde’s
piano can be fluid and melancholy or Monk-ishly angular and he adds all sorts
of rills and thrills to his wide spectrum playing.
As a group they can romp effectively through the lively
numbers and can slam on the brakes for something bluesier. Opener, Passing Clouds, is a dark lit/late night
club of a tune and the third piece, Odd
One Out is in a similar vein. Harbeck’s slides and elisions draw you into
the emotions in these songs, and, by the end of the latter piece you can see,
in your mind’s eye the desperation of our imaginary protagonist. It’s crying
out for a good lyricist and a blues voice. Nørrelykke is solid at the
back whilst Holm adds minimalist brush strokes.