Album: Liberia Ballad
Label: Artogrush Records
For those familiar with the previous albums released by Swedish saxophonist Örjan Hultén Orion, “Liberia Ballad” is an uncommon undertaking for at least two reasons.
One is the unexpected Liberian framework of the album, and the other is the collaboration with well-known local jazz singer Ernie Bruce, who has contributed to five of the nine tracks. His deep voice well balanced with the ensemble is at times reminiscent of David Clayton-Thomas, and he is also the lyricist and composer of the last piece.
It must be said that this is not a jazz fusion album mixing Liberian themes, but an authentic vocal-instrumental melodic jazz project composed by pianist Torbjörn Gulz and saxophonist Örjan Hultén inspired by their Liberian journeys. While piano and sax are at the forefront of the compositions, the entire band delivers a fluent, well articulated performance in tune with the addition of vocals.
The album opener brings forward Torbjörn Gulz and Örjan Hultén revealing their talents as melodic experimentalists. The general tone is warm, the band plays with true emotion and free spirit, yet does not lack dynamics while swinging easily between modern and nostalgic atmospheres, reaching a more exploratory territory on the kaleidoscopic “Treaty Suite,” a collage-style composition with a mysterious touch enhanced by electronics.
“The Bird” is an inventive gem composed by Örjan Hultén, a free sax-bass dialogue. “Sixto” brings in a bluesy mood with voice and a sax in a perfect harmony. Another beautiful composition is the sophisticated “Liberia Rain” an atmospheric piece weaved by piano, sax, bowed double bass and brushes. “Liberia waltz” starts with a simple theme on piano to be developed by saxophone in another memorable melodic structure enhanced by the velvet bass tone and piano solo. The ballad “When Delilah Smiles” composed by Gulz and Bruce, delights with the subtle, distinctive voice of the Liberian crooner.
With their last release ‘Liberia Ballad”, Örjan Hultén Orion reminds us that jazz as a universal language can transcend stylistic and cultural boundaries, but ultimately it is the creativity and originality of the results that counts, and the present album is a notable proof.
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