Bjarne Rostvold - Jazz Journey (1961/2008)

The band may be riding in a carriage on the cover, but there's nothing old-timey about this set – as the record represents some of the best modern jazz on the Danish scene at the start of the 60s! The album's a rare gem from drummer Bjarne Rostvold – one of the key exponents of his scene at the time, working here in both trio and quartet formation – the former with Bent Axen on piano and Erik Moseholm on bass, the latter featuring the same group with the addition of trumpeter Allan Botschinsky! The quartet tracks lead off the set, and really sparkle nicely, thanks to Botschinsky's presence – a trumpet sound that's sharp-edged, but never too modern – muted at times, and blowing with echoes of the Pacific Jazz years of the LA scene. Trio tracks follow on the second half of the record, and showcase both the well-crafted piano lines of Axen and the round-toned bass of Moseholm – one of those players who contributed a lot to key sides back in the day, but who only now finally seems to be getting his due.