If you have never heard the name Stefan Nilsson, then please allow me to enlighten you. Nilsson is an uber talented keyboardist/Composer from Sweden.

He started playing music at 11 years old and would progress to college where he studied with Gunner Karl Hagen. At that same time he had a very successful jazz/rock fusion band named Kornet, which put out three albums.

This would lead to a very successful career as an award winning composer for films as well as a successful recording artist.

Recently, Stefan went back to his jazz/rock roots and released a brand new album, entitled The Gift via Danmusic. Indeed, furthermore, the album is dedicated to the late Magnus Persson, who actually performed on the The Gift.

1. 'Yttersti'
2. 'Menuet (Anna Magdalena Notebook)'
3. 'The Gift'
4. 'Martin Beck Theme'
5. 'Let's Go'
6. 'Keltsong'
7. 'Honeysuckle Rose'
8. 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore'
9. 'The Happy Gang'
10. 'Winter (Four Seasons)'
11. 'Sana Sananina'

With other contributors to The Gift including Johan Hasselquist, Patrick Boman, Erik Soderlind, Maz Schultz, Rafael Sida Huizar, and guest singer Aminah Al Fakir, it's no wonder that the album received instant, and critical acclaim from both the public and the press alike.

being this well respected and highly admired jazz rock band leader, Nilsson has, to my mind, my ear, sculptured The Gift as his first foray back into the the world of jazz rock instrumentals for many a year now.

Combining the dynamic class and workmanship of the musicianship here together with his own musical prowess, and Nilsson and his seven accompanists not only impress on stand out tracks such as the original music of both 'Martin Beck Theme' and 'Let's Go,' but simply excel.

In what is staggeringly impressive recording, featuring, at time, leisurely jazz notes along with vibrant, playful ones, the 11 tracks also include a selection of classical pieces. Vivaldi's 'Winter' and Bach's 'Menuet (Anna Magdalena Notebook)' and 'D-Minor Concerto' are played to utter perfection, with the latter actually reworked into the album's title track.

Also incorporating a delightful pair of cover versions in Duke Ellington's 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore' and Fats Wallers' beautifully dulcet 'Honeysuckle Rose,' The Gift is, well, just that to everyone that wishes to purchase it.

CD Purchase Link