Esbjorn Svensson EST - "301" vinyl LP:

Esbjorn Svensson passed tragically in a 2008 scuba diving accident, shortly after completing his last record "Leucocyte". Recorded before that highly experimental, metal-jazz record, "301" comes as a likely final statement from an artist that had an amazing future in front of him.

301, unlike Leucocyte, is almost entirely acoustic trio with occasional electronics added - but this is no fusion or electro-jazz record - Svensson is firmly in the 1970's Euro esthetic that formed his playing - Duke Jordan is here, so is Joachim Kuhn, so is Jarrett. But so is Radiohead, and much like Brad Mehldau, Svensson has a boundary-less melting pot of influences, where 'genre' has little meaning. At it's heart, this is an acoustic European jazz trio of outstanding musicianship, a working group that has a rapport and interplay that only comes from experience. The vibe is very subdued, dark - a classicism, elegaic. A fitting resting place for a great artist cut down in his prime.

The double vinyl pressing is excellent - quiet, flat. Sounds very good. There is rather little Svensson on vinyl - only Leucocyte was releaaed on LP, and good luck finding a copy. Get this one while you can.