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Jazz Pa Ungerska/In Pleno

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Two rare records from pianist Jan Johansson – one of the leading lights of Swedish jazz in the 60s! First up is Jazz Pa Ungerska, a great set of work with violinist Svend Asmussen – and one that may well be one of our favorite sessions ever with Svend! There's a nice mix of modes going on – some of the modernism that Johansson could always bring to his piano, mixed with a nice sense of tradition too – almost a slight hint of sentimentality, but never overdone – especially in the ways that can usually kill a European session of violin jazz. And Asmussen seems a bit more restrained than usual too – often keeping a good sense of space in his music, and seeming to season a larger sound set by Jan. Other players include Palle Danielsson and Rune Gustafsson – and titles include "Bara En Flicka", "Det Snoar", "Det Vore Synd Att Do An", and "Pa Balatons Vagor". In Pleno is a killer – a record that captures Jan Johansson at his most progressive best – really pushing the boundaries of piano jazz with lots of unusual tones and timings! The set's got lots of unusual little numbers that almost take off even further from a Brubeck mode – kind of like Dave was sitting in with Elmo Hope, and also keeping his ear open to Andrew Hill as well. It helps that the players are great too – as the set features work from Rune Gustafsson on guitar, Georg Riedel on bass, and Rupert Clemendore on percussion – the last of whom is a real surprise in this setting! Titles include "Plenum", "Mitt Piano", "Musik", "Fem", "Una Muy Bonita", and "If My Complaints".  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.