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Tolvan Big Band: Interacting

By Jack Bowers
June 9, 2022
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There's an ample supply of engaging music on Interacting, the fourteenth recording by Sweden's splendid Tolvan Big Band, all of it written and arranged by director and lead alto saxophonist

Helge Albin

saxophone, alto
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Helge Albin. A shame there isn't more than thirty-two minutes worth.

Be that as it may, the music itself is by and large buoyant and swinging, with seamless interplay among the various sections and sharp solos by Albin ("Dancing Shoes," "Lightsome") and his colleagues. Trombonist

Peter Dahlgren

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Dahlgren and pianist

Artur Tuznik

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Artur Tuznik (or Tutznik; it is spelled both ways) add fluent statements on "Dancing Shoes," trumpeter

Fredrik Davidsson

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Fredrik Davidsson on "Lightsome." Soprano Cennet Jonsson is showcased on "Interacting," trombonist

Vincent Nilsson

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Vincent Nilsson and tenor

Inge Petersson

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Inge Petersson on "Gumdrops." They offer no cause for complaint, nor does the stalwart rhythm section (Tuznik, bassist

Patrik Albin

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Patrik Albin, drummer Lennart Gruvstedt). Albin's compositional manner is clear, his colors vivid, with a propensity toward swinging; the TBB is well aware of that, and "interacts" accordingly.

Albin's charts, which, he writes, represent his way of "orchestrating different sections in the band and how they interact with each other," readily carry out that purpose while giving the listener plenty of admirable music to appreciate. It's hard to choose a best-in- show, as each number is well written and has its moments of brightness and allure. As noted, would that there had been a few more of them to appreciate.

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Track Listing

Lightsome; Interacting; Gumdrops; Dancing Shoes.

trombone, bass

Artur Tutznik

piano

Patrik Albin

bass

Lennart Gruvstedt

drums

Album information

Title: Interacting | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Prophone Records

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