June 2000

Susanna Lindeborg/Ove Johansson
Structures
LJ Records

By Steven Loewy

Tenor saxophonist Ove Johansson and pianist Susanna Lindeborg may be little known this side of the Atlantic, but the two Swedes dish up a healthy portion of invigorating fare worthy of attention on these dozen original improvisations. The saxophonist seamlessly rides up and down his horn, his swift, jagged lines restrained by an exquisite legato tongue. Lindeborg's roots appear to come from classical music, her flowing and near-perfect technique a fine foil to Johansson's pointillist leanings. By occasionally adding selected electronics (synthesizer and EWI), the duo cleverly simulates a walking bass with layered backgrounds.