The fruity-toned Swedish alto saxophonist's first New York recording is part celebration of the Big Apple's bustling multi-ethnic energy and part homage to formative influences – ‘Earthtones’ for Elvin Jones and ‘Woody's World’ for Woody Shaw. He's not quite the wide-eyed ingénue that such a project would imply – a trombonist father whose credits include Kenny Dorham and Dexter Gordon would boost anybody's confidence, and the precise phrasing, harmonic confidence and bluesy rasp that make him a major-league player in Europe sit well over a creamy New York rhythm section. The opening ‘Connected Souls’ romps along at a fair old lick; there are ballads for contrast and a brief dusting of contemporary funk. Mostly, though, its solid post-modal interactive mainstream played with point and purpose and the rhythm section are clearly inspired by Kronkvist's wellturned themes – the only cover is a tweaked version of Wayne Shorter's ‘Footprints’. Hutchinson and Rogers are hand-in-glove and Goldberg is a treasure trove of delightful touches and understated grace.