This is the first of four CD volumes that fully document a legendary engagement at the Pawnshop club in Stockholm, Sweden. Featured are
Arne Domnerus
(doubling on alto and clarinet), pianist
Bengt Hallberg
, vibraphonist
Lars Erstrand
, bassist
Georg Riedel
and drummer
Egil Johansen
. They mostly stick to swing standards, recalling the groups of
Benny Goodman
and
Lionel Hampton
. Highlights include a heated
"Limehouse Blues,"
the African folk song "High Life," "Lady Be Good" and
Coleman Hawkins's
"Stuffy." All of the volumes in this series are well worth getting by straightahead jazz fans, particularly those not familiar with
Arne Domnerus's
excellent playing. ~ Scott Yanow