Ulf Wakenius "Love Is Real" (2008) / jazz

In a very recent interview with the two remaining members of the Esbjцrn Svensson Trio, Magnus Цrstrцm and Dan Berglund, Цrstrцm noted "The big black hole that Esbjцrn left behind when he passed has transformed into a great clean white sheet of paper that offers unlimited possibilities." Though he was referring to what music they might yet create, the idea of others continuing the musical direction E.S.T. forged was not, I suspect part of his thoughts.

Hence,the notion of Swedish guitar phenom Ulf Wakenius covering the music of his fellow countryman Esbjцrn Svensson seems strange and serendipitous on the surface. Svensson's trio E.S.T. has always seems about creating tightly structured music that can fly off into three directions before branching back into a seamless core whereas what I knew of Mr. Wakenisus's work suggested a heightened sense of tone and melody.

Yet, Mr. Wakenius has given us something special in "Love Is Real," his clever but faithful interpretations of 11 E.S.T. songs, songs in varying styles culled from across E.S.T.'s discography. (I have to admit that sometimes I have wondered how the music of E.S.T. might sound if more instruments, particularly guitar and horns, were added. Now I know.)

Mr. Wakenius takes center stage, playing with proficiency and precision throughout, and equally adept on electric and acoustic guitars. He has surrounded himself with excellent musicians who seem undaunted by being asked to tackle this project: Lars Danielsson anchors matters with acoustic bass and cello; Lars Jansson bravely plays the piano; Morten Lund handles the percussion. Adding lushness and depth on five songs is the radio.string.quartet.vienna, and a trio of horn players contributes as well, each on a different song--the trumpet near the end of Seven Days of Falling is sublime.

"Love Is Real" concludes with a reinterpretation of Viaticum, a fitting conclusion to a tribute now transformed into a respectful but not somber memorial. Following Esbjцrn Svensson's tragic death in June 2008, this recording, together with the quite different "Leucocyte"---the studio improvisation that is the trio's final recording---offers those moved by the music of E.S.T. some solace.