Jonas Hellborg with Shawn Lane and Kofi Baker: Abstract Logic CD Track Listing

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Jonas Hellborg with Shawn Lane and Kofi Baker Abstract Logic (1995)
ABSTRACT LOGIC\n\nMusical logic is abstract logic. It is a logic of the senses and not of rigid symmetry. It is convincing and striking when comeacross but it can seldom be explained, understood or analyzed in one simple way. It is as complex and simple as life itself. The logic of life isabstract logic, Music is Life Logic.\n\nOn Abstract Logic Jonas Hellborgteams up with guitarist/pianist Shawn Lane and drummer Kofi Baker for 5 days of recording in the Scania countryside in the south of Sweden. The recording was done in the 500 square meter gallery space of Ragnarpers with mobile recording equipment. The music was composed so it could be played in a variety of ways, so over the days each song was turned inside out in new ways and recorded like it was played, live without overdubs or corrections in order to make a snapshot of a moment in time.\n\nJonas Hellborg - Bass Guitar\nShawn Lane - Guitar, Piano\nKofi Baker - Percussion\n\n\nBIOGRAPHY\n\nJonas Hellborg's command of his instrument flabbergasted musicians when he came out of Sweden in the early 1980's. His gleefully flamboyant virtuosity made the more startling by his punk stage presence. WhenJonas soloed, white flags were waved across fusiondom. He may have been a rock musician, initially - to a considerable extent he still is - but he cornered all those slumming jazz cats in matters of improvisational daring and originality. He was fast, of course (how many other bass players could play unisons with full-tilt McLaughlin), but of greater interestwere the ways in which his slap technique, his lead lines, and his revolutionary chordal approach all served to extend his instruments potential.He stressed that he was a bass guitarist, rather than an electric bassist, but some of the techniques he was incorporating transcended guitar, too. The wider chords, for example, pointed toward a keyboard-like role forthe bass, and reflected upon his studies of McCoy Tyner's music. The intervallic leaps in his solo's had almost as much to do with Coltrane as with Hendrix and were scarcely related to traditional bass technique at all. Jonas had learned from the forgotten Back Door bass guitarist Colin Hodgkinson. Otherwise, on his chosen instrument he was his own man entirely.\n\nJonas Hellborg was born 1958 in Gothenburg, Sweden. He taught himselfto play the bass at age 12. Influenced by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Deep Purple, Hellborg played mainly blues and Heavy Rock. In 1972 he heard a record that changed his perception of music. This album, THE INNER MOUNTING FLAME, by the Mahavishnu Orchestra (Featuring English guitarist John McLaughlin) would not only influence his music, but his career as well. Formal studies in jazz and classical music started at the age of sixteen. At this time he became involved with a free form group. He listened to Albert Ayler, John Coltrane. He studied Miles Davis' development from the early part of his career through the beginning of the seventies when Davis produced, IN A SILENT WAY, and BITCHES BREW. In this context, Hellborg rediscovered John McLaughlin. McLaughlin would serve as the main influence for Hellborg who was exploring a jazz/rock idiom by playing smallclubs in the south of Sweden.\n\nDissatisfied with the various rock groups he had been touring with, Hellborg turned to more challenging music and solo concerts. In 1981, he was invited to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Michael Brecker was impressed by Hellborg's playing there and introduced him to many of the jazz greats including his long-time idolJohn McLaughlin. Hellborg sent him some tapes of his music. Later in 1981, Brecker invited Hellborg to New York to open for Steps at several clubdates.\n\nUpon his return from the United States, Hellborg was approached by percussion great, Reebop Kwaku Baah of Traffic fame. The two worked for a year in London on a recording project that was halted by Reebop's tragic death in the latter part of 1982. Hellborg went back to London to complete this album entitled MELODIES IN A JUNGLE MAN'S HEAD in February 1983.\n\nIn 1982 Hellborg created his own record label, Day Eight, in order to allow himself and others to record with full artistic freedom. The first record was Hellborg's first solo bass release, THE BASSIC THING. In May 1983,Hellborg joined avant-garde pianist Michael J Smith and drummerMichael Shrieve (of Santana fame) to record Day Eight's second release, ALL OUR STEPS. Shortly after this McLaughlin invited Hellborg to join thereforming Mahavishnu Orchestra. The first performance Hellborg did with McLaughlin was a television show in Paris where they played in trio with Billy Cobham on drums. Early 1984 saw the addition of saxman Bill Evans and Keyboardist Mitch Forman and the group released the self-titled album MAHAVISHNU.At the same time Hellborg released his second solo bass albumELEGANT PUNK. Before the first Mahavishnu tour ex-Pat Metheny Group drummer Danny Gottlieb replaced Billy Cobham, the group completed two World tours.\n\nIn 1984, at the start of Mahavishnu's US tour, Michael Shrieve introduced Hellborg to Bill Laswell. At the time Laswell was recording Deadline's DOWNBY LAW, and invited Hellborg to play on it. The next year Laswell dug Ginger Baker out of retirement in Italy, and had him play on PIL's new record. Passing through New York on tour again Hellborg also contributed to this album entitled ALBUM.\n\nIn 1985 Hellborg and McLaughlin started playing duet concerts. In an effort to explore a different musical mood, the two created an intimate chamber music kind of jazz/funk that was almost classical in its texture. Additionally, that same year, Hellborg recorded AXIS with Parliament/Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell, singer Bernard Fowler and drummer Anton Fier.\n\n1986 saw the release of the second Mahavishnu album, ADVENTURES IN RADIOLAND (recorded in Milan, Italy) and another world tour. In 1987, McLaughlin-Hellborg duo toured throughout Japan, the US and Europe. Later the same year Hellborg teamed up with Worrelland Ginger Baker to record BASS and tour Europe.\n\nIn 1988 McLaughlin and Hellborg was joined by Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu for a tour ofthe US. After this tour Hellborg left McLaughlin, moved to New York and formed his own trio with Turkish keyboardist Aydin Esen and drummer Kenwood Dennard. This first incarnation of the Jonas Hellborg Group toured Europe doing concerts and TV shows but did no recording. The second version was formed with keyboard player Jens Johansson and drummer Anders Johansson both from Yngwie Malmsteens Rising Force. In 1990 Jens joined DIO for a record and a tour. During this time Hellborg toured and recorded a record with an experimental group consisting of two bass players and a drummer playing only electronic drums.\n\nIn 1990 Hellborg and Laswell created the Greenpoint Recording Studio in New York. They also workedtogether on several recordings. Hellborg played on the Laswell produced Ginger Baker MIDDLE PASSAGE. In 1991 they collaborated on Deadline DISSIDENT and Laswell produced Hellborg's THE WORD a record where Hellborg and drummer Tony Williams are backed by a string quartet. This album is also the first feature of a unique instrument that Hellborg took delivery of in 1989, the Wechter acoustic bass guitar. Built by luthier Abraham Wechter between 1986-1989. This instrument was also used to record Hellborg's third solo bass album, THE SILENT LIFE.\n\nHellborg produced Jens Johansson's FJ

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