the group plays with precision and ease, and even in its quietest passages, the interplay is engaging — subtle shifts, small exchanges, and phrasing that rewards attention.
April Records
Jon Henriksson – Double Bass, Composition; Rasmus Sørensen – Piano; Jonas Bäckman – Drums; Karl-Martin Almqvist – Saxophone; Pelle von Bülow – Guitar; Rasmus Holm – Trombone
When Jon Henriksson released Harmonia in 2023, it was a debut that made an impression. The band leaned into the rhythms, and solos gradually gathered weight as they moved forward.
Harmonia felt more assertive than Shapeshifter. On the new album, Henriksson settles into a pocket and lets it breathe. The rhythm section locks into a comfortable tempo and rarely nudges it higher. Solos stretch out, exploring tone and phrasing, but they seldom press toward a dramatic peak.
The core group — pianist Rasmus Sørensen, drummer Jonas Bäckman, and tenor saxophonist Karl-Martin Almqvist — keep a calm, grounded pulse throughout. Guitarist Pelle von Bülow joins on three tracks, and trombonist Rasmus Holm adds depth on two. The added colors broaden the palette, though the overall mood remains measured.
That approach is clear on “Toninho,” a tribute to Brazilian guitarist and composer Toninho Horta. The piece opens with shimmering cymbals and light piano touches — the kind of relaxed, harmonically warm atmosphere Horta is known for. The saxophone solo moves in easy arcs, and the trombone’s choppier phrases add contrast without disturbing the calm.
A steady walking feel carries the next stretch of the record. Bass and trombone start it off, the sax slipping in soon after, while the piano sends quick single-note runs up the keyboard. In “Grönbete,” that groove holds firm as the guitar steps forward with unhurried single-note lines that sit comfortably inside the rhythm. The bass stays active underneath, keeping the tune moving, and the trombone returns near the close to round it out.
A steady bass line sets the stage, and in “Chime Blues” the piano jumps in with ascending lines. The sax weaves alongside, growing more assertive as the tune unfolds. During the piano solo, it slips back in with quick phrases. A short drum solo gives the piano room to take off again, phrases bouncing between keys, drums, and sax in a lively, responsive conversation.
There are moments on Shapeshifter where the music drifts, and listeners who crave sharper edges or bigger swings might find it too gentle. Still, the group plays with precision and ease, and even in its quietest passages, the interplay is engaging — subtle shifts, small exchanges, and phrasing that rewards attention. It may not hit hard, but when it does sparkle, it really shines.
