Up North by Lennart Åberg & Norrbotten Big Band: A Jazz Journey Worth Taking
If you're into jazz that feels like a warm Swedish hug but still packs enough punch to wake up your eardrums, Up North is the album for you. Released in 2007 on Caprice Records, this contemporary jazz gem from Sweden brings together Lennart Åberg’s sax wizardry and the powerhouse Norrbotten Big Band. It's not just music—it’s an experience. Like sipping coffee while staring out at a snow-covered forest, except way cooler because there are trumpets involved.
Let’s dive into two tracks that stuck with me like gum under a jazz club table:
Track Highlight: "NBBBlues"
Oh man, where do I even start? This one hits hard right off the bat. The brass section sounds so tight it might as well be wearing skinny jeans. Nils Landgren drops some trombone magic here (yes, he only shows up briefly, but trust me, his cameo is worth it). And Jukkis Uotila on drums? Absolute fire. He doesn’t just play; he grooves. You can practically hear him grinning behind the kit. What makes “NBBBlues” unforgettable is how effortlessly it swings—like a hammock tied between two pine trees. If blues had a passport, this would definitely have “Sweden” stamped all over it.
Track Highlight: "Suite For Soprano Saxophone And 16 Players"
Okay, full disclosure: any song title longer than my grocery list already has my attention. But this track isn’t just about fancy names—it delivers big time. Lennart Åberg pulls out all the stops on soprano sax, weaving melodies that feel both intimate and larger-than-life. Think of it as musical storytelling without the awkward small talk. Bob Brookmeyer’s conducting adds layers upon layers of lush soundscapes, making it feel like you’re floating through clouds made of notes. Honestly, if this suite were a person, I’d invite it to every dinner party I host.
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The rest of the album keeps the momentum going with quirky intros (“Intro I,” “Intro II,” etc.—they’re basically the appetizers before the main course) and bold compositions like “Church Music,” which somehow manages to sound sacred and swingy at the same time. Hats off to Daniel Karlsson on piano, who ties everything together like the last piece of string on a gift-wrapped present.
But what really sets Up North apart is its vibe. It’s sophisticated yet approachable, complex yet cozy. Listening to it feels like hanging out with old friends who happen to be ridiculously talented musicians.
So yeah, give this album a spin if you want jazz that’s more than just background noise. Or don’t. Your loss. Either way, I’ll be over here pretending I’m Scandinavian and cool enough to jam with these guys.
Final thought: Why aren’t more jazz albums named after directions? Imagine walking into a record store and asking for Down South or Over There. Now THAT would spice things up.
Rating: 4.5/5
Håkan Broström (tracks: 1 to 6), Jan Thelin (tracks: 1 to 6)
Baritone Saxophone
Per Moberg (tracks: 1 to 6)
Bass Trombone
Björn Hängsel (tracks: 1 to 6)
Conductor
Bob Brookmeyer (tracks: 3 to 6), Lennart Åberg (tracks: 1, 2)
Double Bass
Christian Spering (tracks: 1 to 6)
Drums
Ed Soph (tracks: 2), Jukkis Uotila (tracks: 1, 3 to 6)
Marimba
Mattias Ståhl (tracks: 2)
Vibraphone
Mattias Ståhl (tracks: 2)
Piano
Daniel Karlsson (tracks: 1, 3 to 10), Stefan Karlsson (tracks: 2)
Soprano Saxophone
Lennart Åberg (tracks: 3 to 10)
Tenor Saxophone
Bengt Ek (tracks: 1 to 6), Lennart Åberg (tracks: 1), Mats Garberg (tracks: 1 to 6)
Trombone
Magnus Puls (tracks: 1 to 6), Nils Landgren (tracks: 2), P.O. Svanström (tracks: 1 to 6), Peter Dahlgren (tracks: 1 to 6)
Trumpet
Bo Strandberg (tracks: 1 to 6), Dan Johansson (tracks: 1 to 6), Leif Lindvall (tracks: 1, 3 to 6), Magnus Ekholm (tracks: 1 to 6), Tapio Maunuvaara (tracks: 2), Tim Hagans (tracks: 1)
Notes
Recorded at SR Luleå, Sweden, 2001-10-09 (track 1), 2001-10-15 and 2001-10-16 (tracks 3 to 10), 2004-02-14 (track 2)
Barcodes
Barcode: 7 391782 217667
About Lennart Åberg & Norrbotten Big Band
Swedish saxophonist, born 26 February 1942 in Helsingborg, Sweden. Died 30 September 2021 in Sweden.
Here’s something cool: the album *Up North* by Lennart Åberg & Norrbotten Big Band is like a jazz masterpiece with a twist. It’s not just one conductor leading the show—two legendary figures share the spotlight. Bob Brookmeyer, a jazz icon, steps in to conduct tracks 3 to 6, while Lennart Åberg himself takes the helm for the first two tracks. And get this: the album features no less than four different saxophonists, including Åberg, who plays both tenor and soprano saxophone. The mix of Swedish talent and international guests, like U.S. drummer Ed Soph and Finnish trumpeter Tapio Maunuvaara, makes it feel like a global jazz party. Released in 2007 under Caprice Records, it’s packed with surprises, like vibraphone and marimba adding unexpected textures. Definitely worth checking out if you’re into jazz that keeps you on your toes!
