Reviews of Too Darn Hot

 

DIG Jazz: Cole Porter is certainly smiling happily in his heaven!
Rating 5 out of 5
 
Behind the name Artistry Jazz Group conceals pianist Jan Lundgren, guitarist Jacob Fischer, bassist Hans Backenroth, drummer John Löfcrantz Ramsay and singer Vivian Buczek. The very same guys who stood behind the superb album 'We Like Previn ", which reached us about a year ago.
 
This time, the five jumped on the 15 numbers from The Cole Porter Songbook. Most are "old acquaintances", but some of the songs have been digged up from deep down the Porter treasure chest. When was the last time you heard, for example, "Down In The Depths Of The Ninetieth Floor", "After You, Who?" And "I Happened To Be In Love"? At least not yesterday. And not the day before yesterday, either.
 
The five is obviously having a great time together. The consensus is hundred percent as is the respect for Porter's great songs. The creator is for sure smiling happily in his heaven, where he belongs since the last half decade, as well as with the melodies as with the texts. But he probably can not sit still, for it swings greatly from time to time. The tight trio Fischer Backenroth-Löfcrantz is an amazing rhythm machine, which, inter alia, in "You Do Something To Me" is reminiscent of Basie's hardworking pace keeper from the 50s, Freddie Green, Eddie Jones, Sonny Payne. But the three are also excellent soloists. Not the least Fischer, who once again shows why he is now one of Scandinavia's most requested and popular jazz musicians.
 
But the soloist with a capital "S" is still Lundgren. His appropriation, intelligent, timeless and personal phrasing and swing joy impresses greatly. Today, Jan undoubtedly plays in the same division as his older colleagues Bengt Hallberg and Jan Johansson. Meaning at the top world class level. And rarely, he has played better than on "Too Darn Hot", not to say the least.
 
Finally, Vivian Buczek is a brilliant jazz singer. She is fearless and respectful at the same time and she has a rich, beautiful voice with an impressive range. In addition, she seems to know her Ella, Sarah and Carmen by heart, but without for a moment falling into plagiarism. She sings five of the album's songs and does it very tastefully and in her own way.
 
To me, "Too Darn Hot" is the bet Swedish jazz album of the year. So far, at least. And Artistry Jazz Group must be 2010's coolest constellation. When will we hear them at the jazz clubs throughout the nation?


Jan Olsson
 
* * *


Sydsvenskan
Rating 4 out of 5

Polished and safe, yes, but also oh-so-musician unanimous, coherent and pleasurable swing-elastic.

The same gang - Jan Lundgren, Jacob Fischer, Hans Backenroth, Johan Löfcrantz Ramsay and Vivian Buczek - last year made a tribute to André Previn and the Porter album is more of the same toxedo music.

Lundgren's piano and Fischer's guitar sound like carved out of the same trunk and is relentlessly and soft brought forward by the bass / drum duo. No grandiose arrangements, but tasteful and faceted all the way (listen for example, the Lundgren's background playing to the singing at "Long Last Love").

Malmö vocalist Vivian Buczek uses her enthusiastic energy and accurate vocal cords in five track and shows her scat-pipe in "I Happen to Be in Love".

Best Track: You're the Top

Alexander Agrell