in Reviews

Maximum teamwork

by Jan-Erik Holmberg

"The idea of the compositions on this album seems to be a unity of all elements, rather than melody statements followed by soloistic explorations."

In 2018 both top prizes in the Euroradio Jazz Competition –best group and best soloist – went to Max Zenger Globus. The homonymous album is saxophonist Zenger’s third, with two earlier records by his other band, The Maxxxtet.

The idea of the compositions on this album seems to be a unity of all elements, rather than melody statements followed by soloistic explorations.

Thus, the first impression of the music is, how big this quintet sounds. Zenger’s alto saxophone and bass clarinet, Kasperi Sarikoski’s trombone, Mikael Myrskog’s many-faceted keyboards (including warm analog synth sounds) – there’s some of the ingredients. On top, Anssi Tirkkonen’s drums, and lower, Heikko Remmel’s double bass, frames the sonic picture.

The five compositions by Zenger are well worked out, displaying a great variety in tempos, sounds, and overall feel. However, generally, the album sounds like a group effort.

MAX ZENGER GLOBUS 

Max Zenger, alto saxophone, bass clarinet
Kasperi Sarikoski, trombone
Mikael Myrskog, keys
Heikko Remmel, bass
Anssi Tirkkonen, drums

Flame Jazz FJRCD001