Esbjörn Svensson Trio – 301

March 30, 2012 • ACT

Man, this was a hard album to write about. I've been listening to jazz for quite some time but haven't done many jazz reviews, and I didn't realize how difficult it can be to put this kind of music into words. It doesn't help that 301 is pretty unique as far as jazz goes. Of course, knowing that the group (sadly no longer around) was from Sweden and shared a bassist with Dan Berglund's Tonbruket should have tipped me off—apparently I've been listening to a lot of European jazz without knowing it lately, but there's been a lot of good stuff coming out of there since the turn of the millenium.

If nothing else, this group is definitely very talented when it comes to their writing. Every track on this album has its own feel to it: sometimes it's your standard boppin' trio stuff ("The Left Lane"), sometimes they take that sound and totally turn it on its head ("Inner City, City Lights"), sometimes they produce something that is completely unexpected ("Houston, the 5th"). And they do it without being an irritating free-jazz band either, as most of the tracks are still heavily dependent on improvisation and solos. But it's all done with the group having a common focus and creating a consistent sound.

It's a sound I enjoy, too, both flirting with fusion and being almost cinematic at times. There is a lot of focus on repetition and building up a groove to create a specific mood. I suppose that's something you get a lot with smaller groups such as this one, but for me it's nice to hear less of a focus on extravagant soloing and more of tension and texture. (Of course you have your exceptions, like the frantic guitar-like basswork in "Three Falling Free part II", but of course it serves to add to the feel of the piece and not show off the skill of the bassist.)

I find it a bit strange, actually, that 301 seems to have flown under most people's radars; most posthumous albums get much better treatment, especially when they are actually high-quality like this and not junked outtakes. (If these are junked outtakes, then I guess there is some truly superb music in Svensson's back catalog.) Definitely one to check out.

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