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The Beginners: Two Years Later

By Chris Mosey
March 16, 2013
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The band's name is a typical piece of shy Swedish understatement. Its two leaders, guitarist Erik S?derlind and saxophonist Andreas Gidlund, are anything but beginners; they have a great deal of experience on the local jazz scene.

S?derlind has attracted attention for his collaborations with veteran keyboards player Kjell ?hman and his studio work. Gidlund led soul singer Jennifer Brown's backing band and has played with the likes of guitarist

Ulf Wakenius

guitar
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Ulf Wakenius and saxophonist

Scott Hamilton

saxophone, tenor
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Hamilton. Neither can pianist Martin Sj?stedt be labelled a novice, having accompanied such names as saxophonist

Joe Lovano

drums
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Lovano, trumpeter

Randy Brecker

trumpet
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Breckerand composer/arranger

Jim McNeely

composer / conductor
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim McNeely, not to mention singers Rigmor Gustafsson and Viktoria Tolstoy.

The album marks the second anniversary of the day S?derlind and Gidlund met and decided to put together a band. They recruited a rhythm section and began to meet regularly for practice sessions in a cellar in the Skanstull area of Stockholm.

All the numbers are originals. There are five by Gidlund and four by S?derlind: all straight ahead, post-bop, riff-based jazz, nothing too way out.

Proceedings kick off with Gidlund's up-tempo "Skanstull Serenade," featuring some fine guitar from S?derlind. He plays in the

Wes Montgomery

guitar
1923 - 1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Wes Montgomery/

George Benson

guitar
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">George Benson tradition, but now that he's escaped from the guitar/Hammond organ formula of his previous recordings, his own personality starts to come to the fore.

Although influenced by

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane, Gidlund avoids the tenor icon's experimental excess, notably on "Waltz for Maggie," which also features a meaty solo by Sj?stedt, before bassist Kristian Lind is given a chance to shine—but doesn't.

"Fyra" ("four" in Swedish) is by S?derlind and, with drummer Chris Montgomery prominent throughout, recalls the heyday of drummer

Art Blakey

drums
1919 - 1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Blakey and the

The Jazz Messengers

" data-original-title="" title="">The Jazz Messengers. "Soda's Dream" is bluesy, with an excellent bass solo by Lind, far more interesting than his previous effort.

"S?dermalm Runt" is Gidlund's tribute to Stockholm's once working class south island which has moved rapidly up-market in recent years. The Beginners' theme song, also written by him, ends inconclusively during a Sj?stedt solo.

Then there's "Deux Ans Apr��s," the short but lyrical title song, for some reason. in French. A more exact translation would be "Deux Ans Plus Tard." Gidlund winds things up with some breathy blowing reminiscent of the late, great

Ben Webster

saxophone, tenor
1909 - 1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Webster.

An excellent album and one that puts paid to the myth that melancholia is a necessary ingredient of Nordic jazz.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Skanstull Serenade; Waltz For Maggie; Fyra; Soda's Dream; S?dermalm Runt; The Beginners; As Usual; Blues For Keith; Deux Ans Apr��s.

Personnel

The Beginners

Erik S?derlind: guitar; Andreas Gidlund: soprano and tenor saxophones; Martin Sj?stedt: piano; Kristian Lind: bass; Chris Montgomery: drums.

Album information

Title: Two Years Later | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Prophone Records

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