Anders Bergcrantz - C (1997)

The 'C' of the title stands for saxophonist John Coltrane, and the influence he had (and still has) on the members of the band, which is the same group as that on In This Together. The music on this "live" album (the tracks are taken from different gigs during a tour in Sweden in 1996, and thus is not a live recording as that is commonly understood) is quite vibrant and the band is in fine form.

After a free-from solo intro by Bergcrantz, the title track bursts out of the speakers. After a blazing thematic declamation by Bergcrantz, Beirach channels McCoy Tyner and his open chordal sound and takes the energy to an incredible peak, aided by the dynamic propulsion of McClure and Nussbaum. Bergcrantz re-enters to cheers from the audience and the tension in his solo is almost too much to bear, and then Nussbaum sends it still higher. While the allusions to the classic Coltrane Quartet sound are clear, the music is not retro but a vibrant homage—a killer track.

Following this cathartic release is a beautiful, almost twelve-minute version of "Stella By Starlight." Beirach shows his classical training in a magnificent intro with echoes of Chopin and other Romantics. Bergcrantz then enters, still without bass or drums, playing the melody with such emotion that he seems to be actually speaking through his horn.

When the rhythm section enters, a very cool swing is set up and Bergcrantz plays a perfect solo that breathes and is highly emotional. The band is expert at shifting in and out of double time and it gives goosebumps.

The record closes with saxophonist Wayne Shorter's "Footprints," which is an intense tune in any case, and here is taken up a notch, followed by a solo Bergcrantz "Postlude."

This quartet is a terrific band and the whole is much more than the sum of the parts. Bergcrantz is an articulate, thoughtful and very emotional player, who makes you want to listen.~ By Budd Kopman