Svante Söderqvist - Arrival (2020)

Svante Söderqvist

Adam Forkelid - piano, hammond organ
Svante Söderqvist - double bass, cello, vocals
Calle Rasmusson - drums
Adam Bałdych - violin (2,6)
Maria Winter - vocals (8)

Arrival

PROPHONE 221

By Adam Baruch

This is the debut album as a leader by Swedish bassist / cellist / vocalist / composer Svante Söderqvist recorded in a trio setting with pianist Adam Forkelid and drummer Calle Rasmusson. Polish Jazz violinist Adam Bałdych guests on two tracks and vocalist Maria Winter on one. The album presents ten pieces, nine of which are original compositions by Söderqvist and one is an interpretation of a song by Stevie Wander.

The music is all strictly melodic mainstream Jazz, definitely on the lighter side of the spectrum, but the compositions are all solid and coherent and offer an opportunity for the leader to show his chops as a bassist and cellist. His vocalese singing of the melody lines is however a bit simplistic, but overall fits the mood of the proceedings.

Forkelid plays excellent piano lines and confirms his status as formidable pianist known from his other recordings. Rasmusson drives the music forward with precision and respectful distance. The two tracks featuring Baldych are the highlights of the album and both are closer to the Jazz spirit then almost all the other pieces which combine Folklore / Pop / Classical Music influences. Bałdych delivers fiery solos, as expected.

Overall this is a very mellow, pleasant album offering melodic content executed splendidly by the participants, which should satisfy a wide audience of listeners, who are enjoying the more entertaining facet of Jazz. Combined with the excellent sound quality this album is definitely great fun to listen to.