Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Mats Gustafsson – Bengt (Utech Records 2012)


Bengt is the new solo recording by Mats Gustafsson and is dedicated to Bengt Nordström. Mats Gustafsson plays a plastic alto sax. A classic Grafton sax. The type of sax that was used by Charlie Parker, Ornette Coleman and Bengt Nordström. Nordström is best known having produced Albert Ayler´s first recording Something Different!!!!!! on his Bird Note imprint. It is in his own role as a sax player Bengt was truly inventive. Bengt was playing solo sax improvisation already in 1962 (!!!) Nordström mentored Swedish reedman Mats Gustafsson in addition to playing in a quartet with drummer Peter Uuskyla, bassist Bjorn Ålke, and violinist Lars Svantesson. Nordström died in 2000 at age 63. Bengt is a celebration of the music and the man behind it.
From the liner notes by Swedish author Thomas Millroth- On this record you might not hear the Gustafsson you are used to, but I assure you this is the real Mats, this is the nucleus in his playing. These solo pieces are a wholeness, together forming a sounding essay about the Me in his music. The Me in Me that is Me in You – as did Ekelöf write in a poem.
Limited to 500 copies on white vinyl. LP includes cd version of the album.