Jan Allan & Erik Norström - Software (2000) FLAC

Although most of the songs on this CD are listed as originals by tenor saxophonist Erik Norstrom, the great majority utilize chord changes from swinging originals. This very intimate quartet is a bit reminiscent of the Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker Quartet and other cool jazz units of the 1950s. Trumpeter Jan Allan's soft tone and quick musical reflexes blend very well with Norstrom's mellow tenor, guitarist Rune Gustafsson is quite effective both as a soloist and an accompanist, and bassist Yasuhito Mori is fine in support. West Coast-style cool jazz may have been out of fashion in the United States since the early '60s, but it is apparently still doing well in Sweden. Highly recommended to fans of the idiom.

Review by Scott Yanow