The Lars Erstrand Quartet featuring Kjell Ohman Dream Dancing 180g LP

Proud? You bet I am!

It has been my good fortune to take part in more than 60 Jazz LP albums since my first one, in March 1964. Most of these recordings were made in Sweden, but some took place in New York (USA), Stuttgart (Germany), Monster (Holland), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Helsinki (Finland).

Taking part in recording with real professional jazz musicians is a wonderful feeling, but at the same time quite a challenge. One never really knows what's going to happen. This kind of music is based on "happenings" - so you'd better be on the ball!

This particular day, 22nd February 1991, I arrived for the recording session at Jakobsberg, on the outskirts of Stockholm, feeling extra confident, I knew for sure that, if we could come up with some good versions, the recording quality would be nothing but the best, thanks to Jan-Eric Persson, a very special recording engineer with a warm feeling for the "true sound". That is one reason why I've stuck to him ever since August 1979, when I did my first session for him and his Opus 3.

Another reason for my feeling so secure was, of course, Kjell Öhman, my favorite pianist. Added to which, I am sure I am not the only one to rate him one of the very best organ players anywhere on earth. His registration and performance on his original "Hammond B 3" are quite outstanding.

Two years ago Kjell introduced me to a young bass player, Tommy Johnson, who works in Kjell's organ group. We were in need of a new bass player, our former bassist, Lars Pettersson, having had to withdraw on account of a incurable back trouble - a sad fate after nearly 50 years playing with all the great jazz artists. Anyhow, we tried Tommy and one or two others for a while and, all of a sudden, there was Tommy, a permanent member of the Quartet.

Leif "Gus" Dahlberg (Gus, of course, after Gus Johnson - one of his favorite drummers) is a lovable gentleman and a supreme "chameleon". One second he is playing with velvet brushes, and then suddenly he builds up a thunderstorm, but only when it is called for. That's one reason why I love playing with him.

The music you are about to listen to on this album is a message:
"...this is my favorite band!"

Swingcerely yours, LARS ERSTRAND

Recording Equipment:
Microphones: AKG C-24 Vacuum Tube Stereo Microphone & Beyerdynamic, Double Ribbon M-160 (For Double Bass)
Monitor Speakers: Totem Acoustics, Mani-2 Signature