Coco Chatru Quartet - 2024 - Future

(41:28; Trygger Music)

Track list:
1. Ner I Djupet 6:05
2. Kampsång 5:14
3. Plötsligt Händer Det 5:06
4. Daggdroppe 4:57
5. Flapjack 5:32
6. Tillbaka Till Hytten 6:09
7. Paubrazil 4:24
8. På Flykt (X) Genom Djungeln 4:01

Line-up:
Linus Kåse - alt saxophone
Charlie Malmberg - baritone saxophone
Håkan Trygger - double bass
Daniel Kåse - drums


Swedish foursome Coco Chatru Quartet appears to have formed sometime around 2022, at least according to their website, with members that are described as seasoned musicians. According to the information given on the album, the four men shared a fascination for the life of a Swedish adventurer that called herself Coco Chatru, and decided to write material inspired by the contents from the letters she left behind after passing away. The result of that creative process became the album "Future", which was released on vinyl LP by the label Trygger Music in 2024, and that subsequently hit the digital streaming services now in 2025.

While I do not know the accuracy about the inspiring circumstances or the person the band took their name from, Google didn't reveal all that much useful information, it is a charming and intriguing framework to create music within. Even if this is an all instrumental affair, just reading the entire outline I very briefly summarized will establish a certain mood with anyone listening to this production. The only possible minor weakness I could point to if this framework is fictional rather than historical is that it might have been even more effective if it had been placed a little bit further back in time than in the 50s and onward. But, then again, then there is the issue of certain historical events happening a few years prior to the 1950s that might have been difficult to work into the concept.

The music itself is a part of that perception from my point of view, as it is a case of good, old fashioned jazz we are treated to in this case. The kind of music that to my mind sounds like it could have been composed and performed back in the 1930s or 40s. Even if a little bit of research on the topic signifies that my associations are slightly misplaced a little too much back in time. Be that as it may be, this is an all acoustic quartet consisting of bass, drums and two saxophones, and they explore the old school jazz tradition in a suitably charming manner.

Elegant displays where the alt and baritone saxophone makes good use of dual harmony leads are very much present, alongside sections of standalone leads from both saxophonists without support as well as standalone saxophone leads with support, with the two saxophones trading roles in those circumstances. And, of course, we get a number of lead sections where the dual saxophone presence have shared and intertwined lead roles too. In addition we get elongated bass solo runs as a staple throughout, and while the drummer mainly is providing careful but expressive displays we get a couple of creations where this instrument gets to shine in a more dominant and expressive manner too.

 Slower paced affairs with a mournful mood and atmosphere throughout is a presence here, and light toned, more elegant and uplifting landscapes too. Groove-oriented escapades where the different registers of the saxophones are used to create additional tension have been included too, and a more relaxed and subtle venture into the Latin jazz tradition can be found on the rather appropriately named 'Paubrazil'. Those with a stronger taste for the more dramatic displays of the jazz tradition will get a little bit more of a free and expressive oriented affair with 'Tilbaka Til Hytten', while the concluding 'På Flykt (X) Genom Djungeln' see the band increase the tempo and make use of sharper, firmer and more dramatic tones and notes to create the tension required for an instrumental that seek to display in sound what an escape through the jungle may be like.

For my sake I find this album to be quite the charming and enchanting affair, and it is easy to hear that this is a band consisting of skilled musicians and talented composers alike. There is a good balance between expressive features and compelling moods and atmospheres, and where the latter is given more emphasis than the former. If old school jazz of the acoustic and vintage variety is music that you tend to enjoy, and you find quartets with the instrument distribution of drums, bass and dual saxophones to be generally interesting, then this is an album that should have a high chance of being a rewarding experience.

Olav M. Björnsen, June 2025

Links:
https://cocochatru.se/