| Review
Following Cross Current (STUCD 19504), the two latest albums from the Danish saxophonist
and composer, Lars Møller, are to be found among the good Nordic productions
of today. Whereas Denmark is deeply immersed in international influences rather than
those from the other Scandinavian countries, Møller swears explicit - but not
humble - allegiance to the school initiated in the sixties by Jan Garbarek: full and
profound sonority, tranquil phrasing sculptured in the interval, melody balance and
harmony, careful combination of the timbres. He is just as sensible to his own folklore
as that of India, which he recently visited.
Therefore Theill's tablas - not merely serving as an ethnic/cultural alibi - as well
as the overall impression released from the entirety, are tangible signs that this is
the case. On the latest album Colours, the quartet is joined by John Abercrombie, "the
most European American musician". His celestial guitar is wonderfully integrated
in the music composed by Møller who had the excellent idea to give the American
the possibility of not just playing the part of an invited prestigious musician who
appears on one or two numbers, but a fully integrated member of the project. I really
enjoyed the ballad Bacharach and will especially mention J. Christoffersen who successfully
combines his different pianos and synthesizers. The two CDs are warmly recommended.
Bernard Legros, Jazz@round 1997
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