It's not 'smooth', though neither is it hard to listen to. This third album on Flat Five Records from the laid-back funky jazz outift Stekpanna is their finest yet. Some of the music evokes the expansive Scandinavian landscapes of swedish drummer Petter Svärd and Danish guitarist Mads Kjølby, while Yorkshireman Steve Kershaw on double bass gives a rock solid foundation to everything. Throughout, there's an undertone of gentle humour and a relaxed groove. As well as snow, ice and lakes, the music has inspirations in Brazilian samba, Cuban mambo, the Ali-Foreman "Rumble in the Jungle", Greek myth, the band members' dogs.
1. A Whole Lotta Love Supreme (John Coltrane/ Led Zeppelin)
2. Matusalem (Kjølby)
3. Happy Butterfly (Kjølby)
4. Hebe's Heebie Jeebies (Kershaw, Kjølby, Svärd)
5. Rumble in the Jungle, Round 1 (Kjølby)
6. Ikaros (Svärd)
7.Under the Blue Darkness (Kershaw)
8. Everything is South From Here (Kershaw, Kjølby)
9. At Phillip's (Svärd)
10. Hunnie! (Kjølby)
Best cd of the year 2005 Steve Baxter
(CD no.GBHCD10)
