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Product Description
Review
Following the posthumous release of Leucocyte in 2008, only months after the untimely death of pianist Esbjörn Svensson, it seemed as though that album would represent e.s.t.’s final studio statement. Now, nearly four years later, 301 has emerged. It was recorded during the same sessions, whilst the Swedish trio were touring around Asia and Australia. The disc is named after the 301 Studios in Sydney.
This is no sweeping-up of studio off-cuts. This is one of e.s.t.’s greatest albums, and even arguably their ultimate work, in every sense of the word. It represents a colossal achievement, as they take their final bow. The 2007 material might be extremely varied in tone and approach, partly out of necessity, doubtless governed by the available recordings, but this circumstance works to the album’s advantage. It’s a summation of where the trio had been, and also of where these perpetually evolving players were heading next.
Before his death, Svensson was actually involved in the editing down of the sessions into what might have been a double album. In the end, surviving members Magnus Öström and Dan Berglund elected to delay the release of 301. Regular sound engineer Åke Linton was also a key presence in the recording, editing and mixing process.
A sombre, portentous opener, Behind the Stars, has lone piano, merging into the extended Inner City, City Lights, one of the album’s two staggering epics. Delicately haunting bass enters almost unnoticed, Berglund bowing sparse traces as Öström’s drum brushes follow. It’s a stalking, brooding slow-builder, hovering at length, as Svensson’s piano becomes increasingly flecked with distortion effects, a sinuous bassline unthreading. The drums slink, and a massed choir-like effect develops, adding to the sustained tone of urgency.
The Left Lane operates with a more conventional jazz pianism, all the more striking when it follows on from its scuzzed predecessor. Svensson’s spirited, bluesy virtuosity is buoyed by springily tensed bass and drums. Suddenly, the threesome is venturing into the industrial loading bay, as Houston, the 5th heads towards electro-acoustic abstraction, bathed with sonic distress.
Once more, there’s a cut to pure piano grace with Part I of Three Falling Free. The lengthy Part II is the album’s other sheer classic ripper, amassing a percussive density that approaches an Afro-Latin feel, the bass distortion growing, a driving rhythm set up for Svensson’s epic gestures, propelling towards a gargantuan climax. Not surprisingly, this is followed by the tender ballad of The Childhood Dream, as all facets of e.s.t. are continually revealed.
--Martin Longley
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Review
Posthumously released albums can be little more than opportunistic outtake-trawling, but not this one. Eighteen months before the Swedish pianist and composer Esbjörn Svensson's accidental death in 2008, his trio recorded nine hours of material in Sydney's 301 Studio some of which was released as the apparently final EST album, Leucocyte. 301 is a selection from the rest. With its extended group jams, expanded electronics and reduction of solos, the set consolidates Leucocyte's shift to a sound-texture feel more like that of Australian improv trio the Necks. It's a must for EST fans if only for new examples of the ways Svensson's fluid, Brad Mehldau-like figures mesh with the sound of Magnus Öström's rumbling drums and Dan Berglund's dramatic bass. But it's also a thoughtfully assembled balance of elements minimalist drones, fiercely metallic fuzz-bass noise explorations, rock thrashings in which Berglund's basslines eerily recall Cream's Jack Bruce and a real enhancement of the EST story. FOUR STARS --The Guardian
Recorded at Studios 301 in Sydney at the same sessions that produced Leucocyte, the first album to be released after pianist Esbjorn Svensson's death in a diving accident in 2008, this might well be the group's best ever record. The opening is staggeringly good: Svensson's contrapuntal solo piano leading into "Inner City, City Lights", a masterpiece. Some surprisingly proper-jazz stuff follows before a bit of electro-squelch precedes "The Childhood Dream", another masterpiece. FIVE STARS --Independent on Sunday
This set was culled from the same epic sessions that yielded their experimental Leucocyte album, released just after pianist Esbjörn Svensson s tragic death in 2008. However, 301 offers a much fuller picture of the band from Jarrett-like acoustic piano trio to post-jazz pioneers. The central piece here is the epic trance-jam Three Falling Free, which builds over an electronic drone to an incendiary climax. But there s tenderness, too; the opening Behind the Stars is solo Svensson at his most lyrical; The Childhood Dream a poignant closer. Much more than mere studio jams, these tunes rank close to the band s best. FOUR STARS --The Times
Recorded at Studios 301 in Sydney at the same sessions that produced Leucocyte, the first album to be released after pianist Esbjorn Svensson's death in a diving accident in 2008, this might well be the group's best ever record. The opening is staggeringly good: Svensson's contrapuntal solo piano leading into "Inner City, City Lights", a masterpiece. Some surprisingly proper-jazz stuff follows before a bit of electro-squelch precedes "The Childhood Dream", another masterpiece. FIVE STARS --Independent on Sunday
This set was culled from the same epic sessions that yielded their experimental Leucocyte album, released just after pianist Esbjörn Svensson s tragic death in 2008. However, 301 offers a much fuller picture of the band from Jarrett-like acoustic piano trio to post-jazz pioneers. The central piece here is the epic trance-jam Three Falling Free, which builds over an electronic drone to an incendiary climax. But there s tenderness, too; the opening Behind the Stars is solo Svensson at his most lyrical; The Childhood Dream a poignant closer. Much more than mere studio jams, these tunes rank close to the band s best. FOUR STARS --The Times
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The previous album, leucocyte, took the band in a new, mininal direction with sparse melodies and repetition. The initial couple of tracks are similar, with a gentle piano track giving way into a soundscape of thumping bass, electronic sounds, and mysterious piano chords. The fantastic backing provides intense tension as Svensson's melodies build up and break through.
This new album has more of the trademark E.S.T melodies than the previous album and some absolutely outstanding moments of ensemble playing, especially on Three Falling Free Part II, which builds up to a percussive climax. This is a superbly exciting track. The final track, is a slow ballad led alternately by Berglund's bass playing and Svensson's piano, with a touching melody running through it. It's similar, in style, to believe, bereft, below.
This new album has more of the trademark E.S.T melodies than the previous album and some absolutely outstanding moments of ensemble playing, especially on Three Falling Free Part II, which builds up to a percussive climax. This is a superbly exciting track. The final track, is a slow ballad led alternately by Berglund's bass playing and Svensson's piano, with a touching melody running through it. It's similar, in style, to believe, bereft, below.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I just received this last night and find myself playing it for the third time (notice another reviewer had a similar experience!) and can only add to the enthusiasm already expressed. On one hand hard to listen to and deal with the ongoing sense of lose I feel at Esbjorn's death, but happy to have been able to see them once and more happy still to be able to listen to such a wonderful posthumous offering. Amazing - and I have to agree that "... Three Falling Free Part II, which builds up to a percussive climax..." is an awesome track. Buy it!
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I only reeceived this about six or seven hours ago,and this is the fifth time i have listenend to it in its entirety,if you want dull predictable and boring,then this is definately not your thing.
The album starts with the solo pino tune "Behind the stars"a reflective piece that seques into the magnificent"Inner city city lights"a long brooding malevalant track,this ios then followed by another 12 minute track"The left lane" that features great playing by Esbjorn,very fluid in tempo until about half way through,when the tempo slows right down with some fine Bass solo work by Dan Berglund.the drummerMagnus Ollstrum is no slouch either.
"Houston the fifth"a short electronic sound scape follows,withits out of this world ambience,which then melds into the plaintive"Tree falling free part one" which has some wonderful playing on it by Esbjorn,this is followed by "Tree falling free part two" which at over 14 minutes is the longest track on the album,which is good because it gives the trio time to express themselves and extend thier creativity,which within this trio was immence,the whole thing builds to a stunning cresendo of sound.
The whole album is bought to an end,by the stunning 8 minute track"The childhood dream",a slower paced tune that stand up well.
I own all 13 EST albums,as well as the solo releasesand i feel that Esbjorn would have rated this amongst the best had he still been alive today,i miss him not only as a master musician,but a human being.
ESBJORN SVENSSON......GRAND PIANO,ELECTRONICS,TRANSISTOR RADIO
DAN BERGLUNDDig It To The End - Tonbruket.....DOUBLE BASS,ELECTRONICS.
MAGNUS OSTROMThread Of Life - Magnus Ostrom.....DRUMS,VOCALS,ELECTRONICS
61.04
RELEASED 2012
ACT
ESBJORN SVENSSON....R.I.P
The album starts with the solo pino tune "Behind the stars"a reflective piece that seques into the magnificent"Inner city city lights"a long brooding malevalant track,this ios then followed by another 12 minute track"The left lane" that features great playing by Esbjorn,very fluid in tempo until about half way through,when the tempo slows right down with some fine Bass solo work by Dan Berglund.the drummerMagnus Ollstrum is no slouch either.
"Houston the fifth"a short electronic sound scape follows,withits out of this world ambience,which then melds into the plaintive"Tree falling free part one" which has some wonderful playing on it by Esbjorn,this is followed by "Tree falling free part two" which at over 14 minutes is the longest track on the album,which is good because it gives the trio time to express themselves and extend thier creativity,which within this trio was immence,the whole thing builds to a stunning cresendo of sound.
The whole album is bought to an end,by the stunning 8 minute track"The childhood dream",a slower paced tune that stand up well.
I own all 13 EST albums,as well as the solo releasesand i feel that Esbjorn would have rated this amongst the best had he still been alive today,i miss him not only as a master musician,but a human being.
ESBJORN SVENSSON......GRAND PIANO,ELECTRONICS,TRANSISTOR RADIO
DAN BERGLUNDDig It To The End - Tonbruket.....DOUBLE BASS,ELECTRONICS.
MAGNUS OSTROMThread Of Life - Magnus Ostrom.....DRUMS,VOCALS,ELECTRONICS
61.04
RELEASED 2012
ACT
ESBJORN SVENSSON....R.I.P
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellento!
Highly recommended. E.S.T. doing their thing at the top of their game. The 'Childhood Dream' is a peach. What a tragedy to lose such a great musician.
Published 1 month ago by sconofaci
if you have the rest, you have to have this
its hard at first to listen because it feels like a new cd. I can't believe they had so much music to offer.
i am so used to listen to my heroes, so many passed on. Read more
i am so used to listen to my heroes, so many passed on. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. R. W. Jones
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