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Anna Hogberg Attack: lena

By John Sharpe
July 14, 2020
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It is a well known gambit to start an album with one of its strongest tracks. But it must have been a difficult choice for Swedish band leader and saxophonist

Anna Hogberg

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Anna Hogberg when programming her group Attack's second release. That she chose "Pappa Kom Hem," which opens with a sustained stentorian bellow from tenor saxophonist Elin Forkelid, leading to a cataclysmic free for all, announces that this is an uncompromising outfit. But the way the cut ends with the emergence of a folk-inflected anthem also carries a message, indicating that nonetheless there is still a place for well-crafted arrangements amid the fierce blowing. And so it proves across the six originals comprising Lena.

As on Attack's eponymous debut (Omlott, 2016), H?gberg takes the 1960s American fire music of practitioners such as

Don Cherry

trumpet
1936 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Cherry,

Archie Shepp

saxophone, tenor
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">Archie Shepp,

Albert Ayler

saxophone, tenor
1936 - 1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Albert Ayler and

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman as her inspiration. But what separates Attack from other like-minded Scandinavian combos, such as

All Included

" data-original-title="" title="">All Included and

Friends & Neighbors

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Friends & Neighbors, is how effectively it melds the all-out freedom with the written material. By balancing uncurbed momentum with judicious use of vamps, switching between loose unisons and unbridled polyphony and juxtaposing discreet sections of the ensemble one against another, H?gberg creates powerful and engaging music, illuminated by invigorating solos from her talented crew.

Trumpeter

Niklas Barno

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Niklas Barno replaces saxophonist Malin W?ttring in an otherwise unchanged line up. He occupies center stage on "Det ?r Inter F?r Sent," at first in consort with a polyrhythmic stagger, laced by

Lisa Ullen

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Lisa Ullen's prepared piano, prior to taking wing with a hoarse bluesiness. Whether jabbing in the background or hammering to the fore, Ull��n adds interest and excitement throughout. And she meshes incisively with

Anna Lund

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Anna Lund's percussive wit and

Elsa Bergman

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Elsa Bergman's anchoring bass. H?gberg restricts herself to just one raw, anguished outing on "Tjuv," perhaps satisfied that it is the band which serves as her real instrument.

"Dansa Margit" provides another potent contender for that opening slot, igniting in a welter of riffs and counters which unleash Forkelid's tenor, jostled by yet another probing piano undertow. The saxophonist digs into each phrase, shading with split tones, and wringing out every last gram of emotion, before alto and trumpet bicker. Finally everyone locks in, revealing the full theme in all its splendor. Similar felicities in both form and content adorn each number, making this a shoo-in for the end of year rankings.

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Track Listing

pappa kom hem; det ?r inte f?r sent; dansa margit; tjuv; p?rlemor; ?ntligen.

Personnel

Anna Hogberg

saxophone, alto

Elin Forkelid

saxophone, tenor

Niklas Barno

trumpet

Lisa Ullen

piano

Elsa Bergman

bass, acoustic

Anna Lund

drums

Album information

Title: lena | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: OMLOTT Records

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