Search - Ola Backstrom, Johan Hedin, Jonas Knutsson :: Triptyk

This innovative trio takes the idea of traditional Swedish folk and gives it a unique new setting made up of equal parts art music, dance music, jazz, and classical. Fiddler Ola Bäckström, master of the nyckelharpa Johan Hedin, and multigenred saxophonist Jonas Knutsson seem a perfect match on these mostly original tracks, finding a balance between the traditions they all know and the adventurous ideas they all harbor. They find ambient solace in the ancient Swedish "Psalm 199" and energetic dance steps in Hedin's composition "Yrsnö." In all but one track on Triptyk they are a simple trio of sax and fiddles, each artist equally front and center, exchanging interesting counterpoints and harmonies, often surprising even the experienced listener with subtle turns of phrase. This record ranks with newly composed folk music like Moller and Willemark's Norden projects, daring without being ostentatious or loud, letting the old sounds shine through the new ideas. --Louis Gibson