Torben Bjørnskov is one of Denmark’s leading bassists in a country that seems to produce fine bassists around every corner. A graduate of the Rhythmic Music Conservatory where he studied under Neils-Henning Ørsted Pederson (no less), the Human Being Human trio remains true to the jazz piano tradition, but Bjørnskov has opted for two younger musicians in Tjaive (who is currently plying his craft in London) and Bülow (the latest in a line of great Danish drummers such as Alex Riel, Marilyn Mazur, Morten Lund, and Stefan Pasborg) who are prepared to stress test the piano tradition in subtle but telling ways.

All eight compositions are by Bjørnskov, and are both thoughtful and searching, prepared to shake up the mix with a little Bach, electronic keys and ambient sound washes. Optimism and Nordic calm are musical bedfellows on this musical trip, which maybe tries to cover too much ground, but when the music becomes centred a little more, this articulate little group will have a lot to say.