The Stockholm Jazz Orchestra led by Fredrick Norén is one of the prime exhibits on the Stockholm jazz scene for a very good reason – they are one of the finest big bands in Europe.

And that is saying something. Big bands are an honourable institution that have survived and prospered in Europe – at the top of the tree the full time orchestras funded either by the state or radio stations, big bands in larger towns and cities through Europe who survive on a mixture of municipal and corporate funds, to say nothing of the big bands led by talented and enterprising leaders who somehow manage to keep a big band working through the year.

Musical director Fredrik Norén has turned to formidably talented bassist, pianist, composer and arranger Martin Sjöstedt for four strikingly original compositions and five jazz standards. Sjöstedt’s arranging style is based on a thorough understanding of contemporary arranging techniques, especially the rhythmical changes that have occurred in big band arranging and composition in the last decade in terms of tempo, meter, ad hoc forms, use of advanced harmonies, and a variety of rhythmic techniques that include inspiration from Don Ellis, Dave Holland, Gil Goldstein, Seamus Blake, Mike Brecker and others, which have seen compound meters became relatively common. It sees Sjöstedt confidently reimagining jazz standards such as ‘Donna Lee’ and ‘Equinox,’ but it is as both composer and arranger that he demands attention where his shrewd management of harmonic and rhythmic ideas are purposefully integrated – the title track a good example.