Swedish drummer Christopher Cantillo does not want to make some noise about his new quintet – CC5 – debut album. He did not prepare «lengthy press material», no YouTube clips, no Bandcamp page. He trusts the listener, as well as the writer or critic, imagination, and well-established ability to do their job «without a blueprint». He can afford such an approach as the CC5 is comprised of real heavyweights – Dutch reeds master Tobias Delius, sax player Anna Högberg, Portuguese trumpeter Susana Santos Silva, Canadian bass player Joe Williamson and Cantillo himself on the drums.

But Cantillo promises to deliver the new vinyl on his bike, free of charge, to anyone who lives in Stockholm and Gothenburg areas, equipped with a proper mask and leather gloves. He explains that to make a free jazz album these days is an «extremely opportunistic» choice, so he claims to spice his music with some techno and folk elements, henceforth the title, «Algo Por Toda La Familia», something for the whole family. He dedicated the album to the memory of late drummer Thommy Larsson from the Franska Trion, now subbing his place in this trio.

The music is totally free, revolving around Canillo energetic but fragmented and pulse-free drumming, organically finding its course and inner logic, through playful-ironic games and passionate collective improvisations. Cantillo knows when to stir the rhythmic fire on «Give The Drummer Some» and when to spark the lyrical «Lukewarm Ballad No 1» with some fierce but precise bangs. «Noodelin» cements the telepathic connection with double bass player Williamson. With whom he plated before in Ståhls Trio, Mats Äleklint Quartet, and with Australian pianist Alister Spence. More importantly, this kind of open, improvised interplay solidifies the immediate chemistry within the front line of Delius, Högberg, and Santos Silva (check their brilliant work on «Boxin No. 4» that alone, gives too many justifications to purchase this great album). The whole quintet sounds like enjoying this kind of framework that demands strong-minded and articulate contributions.

Not much techno here, nor some Swedish folk songs, but CC5 music is perfect for some whole families with a clear affinity for freedom, eccentric humor, and a passionate sense of imagination and invention.

Eyal Hareuveni 

Tobias Delius (s, cl), Anna Högberg (s), Susana Santos Silva (tp), Joe williamson (b), Christopher Cantillo (dr)