MATTIAS SVENSSON

EMBRACE

Origin Records

Mattias Svensson, bass; Bill Mays, piano; Morten Lund, drums.

Swedish bassist, Mattias Svensson, first met pianist Bill Mays when they recorded in a Japanese studio in 2009.  It was Svensson’s debut trio recording. This inspired them to work together in the future. They toured together and planned to record more awesome music.  Mattias assembled this session in Copenhagen with Mays and drummer Morten Lund, his longtime trio mate with the famed Jan Lundgren Trio.

Their opening tune is “My Toots Toots (for Toots)” that runs seven minutes long, but is never boring.  Each player steps proudly into the spotlight to show off their magical and brilliant talents, both as a small ensemble and individually.  I am intrigued and completely spellbound by this lovely jazz waltz tune, written in honor of Toots Thielemans.

The next tune is called “Bluetiful” and gives a platform for Svensson to showcase his mastery of the double bass. As the title hints, this tune is rooted in the ‘blues’ and played at a moderate, swinging tempo.  Bill Mays is dynamic on piano. Moren Lund holds the piece in place with his steady drums, accenting at all the appropriate places.  Svensson co-wrote this tune with Jan Lundgren.

Mattias Svensson has contributed nine (9) original compositions to this project and each is wonderfully written.  This group of excellent musicians share their awesome talents with us in masterful ways.  On a tune titled “Erik Satir” the bass and piano move together like two lovers dancing cheek to cheek. This is followed by the “Shagit” composition that is pushed and supported by Svensson’s busy bass that pumps the music up. The arrangement moves like a funky helium balloon floating through my listening room, propelled by the trios energy and dedication.

Another funky arrangement was “Fredriksson” that ends this album with a slow splash of excitement. This album was a joy to listen to, from beginning to end.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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