Joel Haag - Bistro
J
Varva Records and Music
Gothenburg based guitarist/composer Joel Haag leads a five piece band through eight new compositions and there's a lot to like about this album.
It has clearly been made with love and care by a band who enjoy working together. The combination of two woodwind players, electric guitar, bass and drums is explored in interesting ways. It also sounds great; the recording, mixing and mastering of Gustav Davidsson is just right for this music.
Haag's compositions are nicely crafted; I particularly like the way tracks develop from lyrical beginnings or simple riffs into free and edgy improvisations. Interaction between the musicians gives an exciting "live performance" energy and each track develops in unexpected ways. For example "Old Watch Still Ticking" begins with a pattern of pizzicato guitar and double bass (Bjorn Petersson) and develops into an abstract conversation between saxes.
Adrain Åsling Sellius plays alto sax, clarinet, bass clarinet and flute whilst Pelle Westlin plays tenor sax and clarinet. They combine two clarinets on "The Tennant's Prayer" with Strayhorn flavoured harmonies opened up by Haag's guitar, using a spacious tremolo effect. "Speak my heart" combines tenor sax and clarinet in a gentle ballad.
"Politicians and bosses" is a more guitar led track with some tasty distorted riffs. Haag cuts loose with a cunningly angular guitar solo, alongside the cascading drumwork of Anton Jonsson. The theme has a memorable Sonny Rollins vibe.
My favourite track is "Peace", beginning with a mysterious sizzling drone (bowed bass and e-bow guitar?) leading to a delicate hymn-like theme, played with great tonal variety on sax and clarinet, gentle finger-style drums, and improvisations which manage to be exploratory whilst having a nice fuzzy logic.
Well worth a listen.
© Stephen Godsall
Musicians:
Joel Haag - guitar and compositions
Adrian Åsling Sellius - alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute
Pelle Westlin - tenor saxophone, clarinet
Björn Petersson - double bass
Anton Jonsson - drums
