TOLVAN BIG BAND – Plays The Music Of Helge Albin – CD – 86025-2

While Albin’s charts aren’t imitative, for the sake of comparison think of Gil Evans, Maria Schneider, Jim McNeely, late–period Bob Brookmeyer or perhaps Bill Holman. Some are up-tempo, but none could reasonably be described as a flag–waver. Rather than employing a series of brassy sonic booms, Albin’s intricate charts come at the listener in layers, each one well–textured and requiring one’s wholehearted consideration. That’s not to say they don’t swing; they do, but not in the manner of Basie or Herman.

Jack Bowers / All About Jazz