Nils Landgren: Eternal Beauty

Trombonist and vocalist Nils Landgren's music is so damned accessible, it would be easy to dismiss it as "jazz lite" – and many do. But all of the Swedish impresario's projects have high levels of musical craft, amplified by the talent with which he invariably surrounds himself. In some ways, Landgren is bridging the chasm that divides vocal pop from instrumental jazz, and here, with a group that includes much-admired German pianist Michael Wollny, he co-opts such unlikely tunes as 1980s power ballad Broken Wings and Tina Turner's We Don't Need Another Hero , as well as more obvious pop gems such as James Taylor's Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight . Certainly not for the heavy lifters, but those without musical scruples may find it balm to jaded ears. nilslandgren.com