Esbjorn Svensson Trio Esbjorn Svensson/Sweden 1999

Esbjörn Svensson (Trio), who was so popular at the time that he was ranked on the pop charts in his home country of Sweden, and who even Keith Jarrett commented that "Svensson is good, he's the pianist I'm paying the most attention to right now," became known as the No. 1 young pianist in terms of both popularity and ability. This spectacular live performance from the release of the historic masterpiece "From Gagarin's Point of View," which led to his worldwide breakthrough, is now available for the first time on a superb high-quality stereo soundboard recording! This album was recorded on September 2, 1999, just after the release of "From Gagarin's Point of View," in E.S.T.'s hometown of Umeå, by Svensson, Magnus Ostrum, and Dan Berglund. Most of the setlist was taken from "From Gagarin's Point of View." This is a must-listen album for jazz piano lovers, recorded on the highest quality stereo soundboard! Svensson, Magnus Ostrum and Dan Berglund were all born in the mid-60s and have a lyricism based on Evans, Keith and Chick, a beautiful yet strict, transparent sensibility unique to Scandinavia, and compositions with a flow of rare catchy and beautiful melodies. They are familiar with rock, techno and electro, and have a sense of fusing them into their own music. The sound that perfectly blended all of these was an original sound that was not found anywhere else at the time. Since E.S.T., many trios have appeared one after another that play catchy melodies with virtuosity, and have spawned many followers, but E.S.T. is in a class of its own, a unique existence. This performance is proof of that, breaking the tradition of a leader and a sideman established by the Evans Trio with LaFaro, the members play on an equal footing, and the openness, curiosity, and slight coincidence that are part of the artistic foundation of E.S.T. combine jazz, electro, drum and bass, funk, pop, rock, and even European classical music seamlessly to create a unique originality and truly innovative music. It was especially moving to hear the almost premiere performance of "From Gagarin's Point of View," the title track of the album, which they will play almost every time afterwards! The beauty of the unique E.S.T. music, created by the advanced technique, sensitivity, and trust of Svensson, Berglund, and Ostrom, who stoically push themselves to achieve the highest ideals as performers, is difficult to put into words, and I am always blown away by the expression of its overflowing wildness and refinement...Of course, their improvisations, which boast each of their outstanding techniques, are also wonderful and beyond reproach.