Lars Danielsson Liberetto - Cloudland (CD)

Release Date: 05/28/21

One of the finest ensemble to come from Europe: 'Elegant lyricism and unerring groove' (All About Jazz)

Those who know how attractive and approachable Liberetto’s music is will find all their expectations fulfilled on “Cloudland”. The 'elegant lyricism' and 'unerring groove' which Canadian writer John Kelman (All About Jazz) spotted in 2011 in the band’s first album are to be found in abundance on this, their fourth. 'I think of my compositions as songs,” says Danielsson, who never forgets the importance of melody. “Cloudland” also shows the variety of Danielsson’s range of timbres and expressive possibilities. We find them in both foreseeable and new ways. Right from the start of “Imagine Joao'', a duet with John Parricelli, he states the melody with the elegance and eloquence of the consummately lyrical bassist we have come to expect. Whereas, for the last sixty seconds of Villstad, most listeners will probably jump to the obvious but wrong conclusion that the heroic, Hendrix-like sound they are hearing is an electric guitar. There is definitely alchemy, sorcery going on here and appearances can be deceptive: this is Danielsson playing cello and using a distorted amp. There are new elements in “Cloudland”: Danielsson’s desire to work in asymmetric meters has been an area of exploration for many years, and he has taken it further here, while never sacrificing the appeal and the emotional impact of the music. Danielsson’s philosophy, essentially, is this: “If it sounds natural then it doesn’t really matter what meter it's in.” And that is particularly true of the title track, which is in seventeen time, but has a completely irresistible pulse, flow, even an airy elegance about it, enhanced by the unique presence of trumpeter Arve Henriksen as the lead voice. This album is also a celebration of the myriad talents which the members of Liberetto bring to Danielsson’s music.