Ann Blom - Simplicity Of Heart (2023)

Ann Blom Quartet is in practice a trio, two quartets and a quintet on the album Simplicity of Heart. And all constellations involve the canon compadre Ann Blom piano, Filip Augustsson bass and Jesper Kviberg drums.

The quartet with Olandersson opens the album, playing Blom's The Phrase, a lively and happy uptempo song with a repetitive theme, and the trumpet it patters well. Terrific swing in compet, nice piano playing and an excellent ending. Spisaren, another uptempo song with the same quartet delivers speed and energy. A pleasing detail: the click of the grape against the cymbal sits like a slap.
The beautiful ballad You Don't Know What Love Is represents the trio arrangement and begins rubato with sparse singing by Blom to a naked piano. Kompet switches up and offers a medium swing during the piano solo. The quintet song All Blue, one of Blom's own compositions, is a low-key piece that brings to mind Miles Davis' bestseller Kind of Blue. Olandersson's trumpet, Kovacs' harmonica and Blom's voice stand for the theme presentation. The trumpet solo that follows is creative and playfully appealing with sharp leaps, half-choked notes and fine runs.
The quartet with Kovacs offers a softer tone. The title track, Blom's Simplicity of Heart, has a warm beautiful melody, which suits the soft sound of the harmonica well. Kovac's sense for simple, melodious improvisation is clearly evident in the solo part. Last on the disc is the ballad When Sunny Gets Blue, where the vocals and the harmonica are both nicely laid back.