From the first notes of "Nationsjazz," it's clear that this Lars Hollmer CD will be one of the most stunning efforts of the Swedish composer, bandleader, and accordionist/keyboardist's lengthy musical career. The tune is explosively performed here, with Ruins drummer Tatsuya Yoshida slamming through the shifting rhythms, Wataru Ohkuma wailing on the clarinet, and violinist Yuriko Mukoujima joining with the clarinetist to drive Hollmer's themes into Mahavishnu-esque territory. But as is typical for a Hollmer disc, "Nationsjazz" is merely an opening salvo in a multifaceted effort that ranges through many traditional and contemporary music styles while hanging together in remarkable fashion. Many previous compositions are revisited here: "Nationsjazz" and the live bonus "Hoppas Att Det Går," the latter recorded at the Tokyo club Mandala-2, are from Från Natt Idag; "Samma Zanzibar" and "Parallel Angostura" can be heard on the Looping Home Orchestra's Door Floor Something Window; "Växeltango" and the darkly beautiful "Novelty" are highlights of the odds-and-ends collection Vandelmässa; "AKA Session" revs up the comparatively hypnotic "Akarondo" from Vill du Höra Mer; and "Arp. Violin" first appeared as part of the 17-minute "Augustin Lesage" suite, Hollmer's contribution to the Hardis Bruts various-artists compilation (an homage to "raw art" on the French In-Poly-Sons label). Although these pieces are not "new" per se, they are truly reinvigorated here and stand apart from the earlier versions, attesting to the strengths of the original compositions and the skills of the musicians themselves. All six of Hollmer's Japanese bandmembers (also including cellist Hiromichi Sakamoto, keyboardist Kazuto Shimizu, and guitarist Kei Fushimi) are uniquely attuned to the composer's work, and push it to energetic heights.

1		Nationsjazz
2		Ljuva Lägen
3		Trampumpa
4		Arioso Nearaway
5		Continue
6		Arp. Violin
7		Växeltango
8		Samma Zanzibar
9		Parallell Angostura
10		AKA Session
11		Novelty
12		Hoppas...GOK...
13		Yrsa Requem
14		Hoppas Att Det Går