Jorden vi ärvde (The Earth We Inherited) is the sophomore album of Swedish, Stockholm-based young double bass player-composer Vilhelm Bromander and his 13-musician Unfolding Orchestra, following In this forever unfolding moment (Thanatosis Produktion, 2023). The debut album of this Orchestra weaved many musical interests of Bromander, including his devotion to Indian classical vocal dhrupad music, the politically charged folk-jazz sound of the music Carla Bley created for Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra, and his commitment to deep listening.
Jorden vi ärvde continues to match Bromander’s diverse musical interests with urgent, social activism, now addressing the alarming state of our planet, and reminding us that we do not own Earth. But despite the urgent, alarming message of the album, Bromander’s music radiates a strong sensibility of light, beauty, hope, and resistance, and asks the listeners to trust spirituality that captures humanity at its best. Bromander was inspired to compose the music following the birth of his first son, and the album is dedicated to him and his little brother. This four-part, lyrical suite was recorded at Atlantis Studios in Stockholm in June 2024.
The music is much more through-composed and more rooted in the jazz legacy than the inclusive one of In this forever unfolding moment, but solidifies Bromander’s commanding qualities as a thoughtful bandleader and arranger, who enjoys an all-star cast of musicians, including bass clarinetist Christer Bothén, reed player Alberto Pinton, vibes player Mattias Ståhl, and trombonist Mats Äleklint. The beautiful, contemplative opening piece is titled «Jorden vi ärvde, den skall oss också ärvas» (The earth we inherited, it shall also be inherited by us), cleverly juggling between being direct and being mysterious.
The second piece, the elegiac ballad «Erde», acknowledges Bromander’s debt to the seminal Liberation Music Orchestra and its transcendent, uplifting power. «For Dewey», after sax player Dewey Redman, who has played in Keith Jarrett’s classic American quartet, lets tenor sax player Elin Forkelid take the fiery leading role in this piece, which makes full use of the Unfolding Orchestra. This impressive, compassionate album ends with the raga-tinged «Calliope», with harpist Stina Hellberg Agback mimicking the role of the Indian harp – the swarmandal – and sketching the sensual theme that triggers solos of Bothén, alto sax player Martin Küchen, and violinist Katt Hernandez. This piece, like the previous one, may inspire us to summon the courage, dreams, and visions to alter the course of our planet.
Eyal Hareuveni
Vilhelm Bromander (double bass), Katt Hernandez (violin), Martin Küchen (alto saxophone), Elin Forkelid (tenor saxophone), Alberto Pinton (baritone saxophone, flute, bass clarinet), Christer Bothén (bass clarinet), Emil Strandberg (trumpet), Mats Äleklint (trombone), Alex Zethson (piano), Mattias Ståhl (vibraphone, marimba), Stina Hellberg Agback (harp), Dennis Egberth (drums), Anton Jonsson (drums)
