Elin Forkelid Returns to Coltrane on Vol. 2
Elin Forkelid's second volume of Coltrane tributes is a bold, deeply personal jazz statement recorded in Stockholm during Coltrane's centenary year. With the same trusted ensemble from Vol. 1, Forkelid delivers a wide-ranging exploration of Coltrane's legacy that rewards both new listeners and dedicated jazz fans.
A Centenary Tribute Rooted in Scandinavian Jazz
Released in Coltrane's 100th birth year, this album revisits the spirit of the original 2020 record that many considered the strongest Swedish jazz release of that year. Forkelid initially hesitated to take on the Coltrane challenge back in 2018, but her eventual commitment produced something remarkable. That same courage and conviction carries through into this second volume, cementing her place among the most thoughtful voices in Nordic jazz today.
How the Ensemble Shapes the Sound
You'll find the group's chemistry immediately apparent across the album's five tracks. Mattias Ståhl's vibraphone, David Stackenäs's guitar, Vilhelm Bromander's bass, and Jon Fält's drums form a flexible, responsive frame around Forkelid's multi-reed approach. Bromander in particular anchors the session with quiet authority, giving the rest of the band room to stretch, improvise, and push into Coltrane's expansive musical territory without losing cohesion.
Standout Moments Across the Album
The opening suite sets a high bar with cascading free-form soprano sax before settling into meditative calm. Tracks like Expression and Naima offer more accessible entry points, balancing freedom with melodic clarity. The closing Reverend King — Coltrane's 1966 tribute to Martin Luther King — receives a spacious, luminous reading that feels both historically grounded and urgently alive, a fitting close to one of the most compelling European jazz releases of 2025.
Key Takeaways
Elin Forkelid Plays for Trane: Vol. 2 is a mature, musically rich tribute that earns its place alongside the first volume. If you care about jazz with depth, intention, and genuine improvisational spirit, this is essential listening.
Author: Dan Backman
Source: Orkesterjournalen
Published: September 23, 2026
