Formed in the aftermath of legendary jazz pianist Esbjorn Svensson’s tragic death, Dan Berglund’s Tonbruket, featuring the eponymous E.S.T (Esbjorn Svensson Trio) bassist alongside a group of musicians that he has collaborated with over his career, are set to unleash their eagerly anticipated debut; though those hoping for a carbon copy of E.S.T are set for disappointment this is a fascinating, densely layered and diverse release, sharing a pioneering, experimental ethos with Berglund’s former band, if not, at times, a musical style.

To label Tonbruket as only a ‘jazz band’ would be a gross oversimplification, the four piece (completed by Wildbirds and Peacedrums percussionist Andreas Werliin, Lap and Pedal steel maestro Johan Lindstrom and Martin Hederos of The Soundtrack of Our Lives on piano/keyboard and more) straddling a wide range of musical tones and styles, with the instrumental virtuosity of freeform jazz shedding new light upon the realms of possibility in styles such as folk and hard rock, even touching upon electronically driven ambience. Each of the ten tracks that make up this release contributes a unique piece of the overall puzzle, forthright, ominous compositions like the appropriately named ‘Monstrous Colossus’, nestling comfortably alongside chilled out, traditional jazz/drum ‘n’ bass crossover ‘Song For E’, upbeat, folksy ditty ‘Gi Hop’ and the claustrophobic, contorted ‘Cold Blooded Music,’ one of the songs on ‘Tonbruket’ that is perhaps most reminiscent of posthumous E.S.T. album ‘Leucocyte’ in its recondite and disturbing tone.

With no preconceptions to face and few creative constraints, be they stylistic, financial or otherwise, Berglund and co have not only created a work with near endless exploratory potential, but one that is in part surprisingly accessible and cinematic, tapping into a very human sense of drama and emotion, and making a case for one of the most purposeful debut albums of the last few years. Given the collective experience of the members here that is somewhat unsurprising, going to show that not all collaborations between eminent musicians (dub them ‘supergroups if you like) need become less than the sum of their parts. Highly recommended, indeed this an essential listen for the many influenced and touched by the music of E.S.T, as well as those unafraid to venture into previously unexplored musical territory.

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