Magnus Lindgren, a versatile reed player, is a forward-thinking post-bop improviser. On his quartet date, he performs five originals, two songs by his sidemen, and a pair of originals. Sometimes the music is lightly funky, and at times it is straight-ahead in a quirky fashion.
Lindgren switches between tenor, bass clarinet, and flutes, which gives the set variety. His rhythm section is alert and open to changing grooves on a moment's notice when it fits the music. The catchy blues "Sofia Korn Hem" is a high point, but all of the selections (including a reworked version of "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise" and the driving "Blue Star") are well played and full of fire, with
Lindgren's flute feature on "Caravan" being particularly memorable. Although
Magnus Lindgren is not very well known in the United States, his CD is easily recommended to modern straight-ahead jazz collectors. ~ Scott Yanow