Swedish born bass player Raberg works in a contemporary instrumental context that incorporates ECM type sonorities and Scandanavian folk motifs with an improvisors heart to create new music that is tuneful, attractive, and substantive. Saxophonist Ole Mathiesen and drummer Marcello Pellitteri listen closely and respond appropriately from start to finish on this surprisingly delightful set of original music. Raberg uses a stealth mode for two of the nine tracks, as Mathiesen's clarinet, soft malleted drums, and bass lurk under the surface for Jaquemonti Birch, and using a similar theme in six notes per measure during Berg-Kirsti's Polska. An 11/4 Procession is a long nine-minute-plus journey as tenor sax easily moves the pace along briskly without stops or stumbles. A nice bass groove from the leader buoys dancing clarinet on Twin Spirits, a reggaeish rhythm informs the tenor lead of Nothing Special (some may disagree with the assertion), and the title track is a drenched in sorrow ballad. Two free improvisations are heard: the scattered notes of Sculpture I and extant interplay that is simple, direct, open aired, and ended tenor bass brushes conversation on Sculpture II. The most intriguing track is the first one, Runestones, based on a Norwegian folk tune. Lilting or wailing soprano sax filters through a six beat bassline superimposed in 4/4 rhythm with African implications and some swing much as Ed Blackwell always demonstrated. It's a truly original combination. The music on this recording has a lot to offer, musically and spiritually. Kindred souls should gravitate toward Raberg's vision, stance, and clearly melodic musicality. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi

1		Runestones
2		Jaquemonti Birch
3		Procession
4		Sculpture II
5		Twin Spirits
6		Berg-Kirsti's Polska
7		Sculpture I
8		Nothing Special
9		Presence