Swedish saxophonist Lennart
Åberg assembles a force to be reckoned with for this out-of-print JAPO release.
Fronting a 20-piece ensemble that includes early appearances by pianist Bobo
Stenson, bassist Palle Danielsson, and drummer Jon Christensen, Partial Solar
Eclipse plays out in a six-part suite of epic proportions. The trumpet-led
swell of Part I gives way to a groovy bass line amid big band brilliance
infused with Brazilian percussion (courtesy of Okay Temiz). A soaring solo from
Åberg flirts with the clouds even as it transcends them in fiery sunset. The
twinned bass action from Stefan Brolund and Danielsson impels the spirit toward
Stenson’s winding finish. Out of these dense beginnings comes a mosaic of hues
and textures. From the flanged ground line and backing horns of Part II, which
sound like a warped version of “Baby, You’re a Rich Man,” to the oozing
finality of Part VI, the album as a whole bursts with a jazz that squeals, “I
made it!” Jan Tolf’s guitar work is the conclusive highlight, along with the
florid and soulful tenor work of Åberg himself. Between the two we find the
Motown edge of Part III, with its radiant flute and oceanic pianism, and the
killer baritone work in Part IV of Erik Nilsson, who also unleashes a fabulous
bass clarinet solo over the chalky backdrop of Part V. This is an album that
foregrounds itself by foiling the otherworldliness of all that came before. In
so doing, it offers the glare of its namesake without the need for glasses.
It’s an intense thrill ride, to be sure, but one that offers choice rewards
even (if not especially) for those not tall enough to enter. ~ Tyran Grillo, ECM.
Japo Records, JAPO 60023 ST, 1978
Recorded 5th-9th
September, 1977 At Metronome Studios, Stockholm, Sweden
Personnel:
Lennart Åberg - Alto, Soprano
& Tenor Saxophones
Stephen Franckevich - Trumpet
(#B3)
Bertil Lövgren - Trumpet,
Fluegelhorn
Jan Kohlin - Trumpet,
Fluegelhorn
Ulf Adåker - Trumpet,
Fluegelhorn
Jörgen Johansson - Trombone
(#B3)
Lars Olofsson - Trombone
Sven Larsson - Bass Trombone,
Tuba
Håken Nyquist - French Horn,
Trombone, Fluegelhorn
Ulf Andersson - Alto
Saxophone, Piccolo Flute, Flute
Erik Nilsson - Baritone
Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute
Bobo Stenson - Piano,
Electric Piano
Harald Svensson - Synthesizer
(#A1,B1)
Jan Tolf - Electric Guitar
(#A1-A3,B3)
Palle Danielsson - Bass
(#1-5)
Stefan Brolund - Electric
Bass (#A1,A2,B3)
Jon Christensen - Drums
Leroy Howe - Drums
Okay Temiz - Percussion
(#A1-A3)
Tracks:
A1. Partial Solar Eclipse I
(8:06)
A2. Partial Solar Eclipse II
(6:01)
A3. Partial Solar Eclipse III
(6:41)
B1. Partial Solar Eclipse IV
(9:36)
B2. Partial Solar Eclipse V
(4:22)
B3. Partial Solar Eclipse VI
(6:47)
Total Time: 41:33
Credits:
Producer - Håken Elmquist
Engineer - Rune Persson,
Metronome
Cover Photo - Stefan
Söderhjelm, Lund Observatory
Layout - Barbara Wojirsch
