Echomyr, the title of the fifth ‘Liberetto’ album from Swedish bass and cello master and composer Lars Danielsson, signifies music that has come from a particularly deep place in the soul. “The album title is a newly invented word,” he says. “The ‘echo’ part describes an expansive field where sound resonates; and ‘myr’ is an old Norse word for ‘moor’”. These are sounds from the depths, from deep within oneself. Especially now, we are asking ourselves what it is that makes each of us human and unique. And that is what I have been searching throughout my whole life as a musician: not simply to copy things that already exist, but to find something that comes from my own heart and from within myself." Echomyr sees Lars Danielsson continuing along his own distinct musical path, combining the freedom, harmony and rhythmic intensity of jazz with the vision of a cultivated sound that comes from his classical roots, together with the catchy melodies of popular and folk songs. Danielsson's compositions are unmistakable. He is a consummate melodist with a particular capacity to make complex things sound simple and natural. Danielsson, who grew up with rock and roll and free jazz, says that the way he used to compose was in a complicated way, with the aim of hiding behind the complexity. Today, what he seeks is the very opposite: clarity. ‘It's not difficult to write complicated music. But writing music that people will understand and that nevertheless has personality and depth – that's my goal.’ It is precisely this balance of depth and lightness that makes Danielsson's music so special – and on Echomyr he has taken it to a new stage in its evolution. For Danielsson, continuity and development are more valuable than the constant search for the new or the spectacular. He has been working with the core of his ‘Liberetto’ quartet – e.s.t. drummer Magnus Öström and renowned UK guitarist John Parricelli – for over 15 years. Tigran Hamasyan had the piano chair in the band in its early years, and since 2017 Gregory Privat has been the band's permanent pianist. Privat brings an ideal mix of extroversion and virtuosity with the kind of unselfish playing that works to the common good within the band and to bring out the very best in each song. In addition, three soloists appear on the album, and they are all musicians who share a characteristic: their instrumental playing is remarkable for its vocal quality, so they add their ‘voices’ to the album’s contrasted tracks: trumpeter Arve Henriksen, flautist Magnus Lindgren and Carolina Grinne on cor anglais. When composing, Danielsson says he thinks neither of what the market wants, nor of success. Over time, he has accumulated a substantial catalogue of compositions, and they form the starting point for him – often together with his wife and fellow musician Cæcilie Norby and close confidants from his label ACT – to work on the dramaturgy, to form the shape and the flow of an album that can really touch people. But even then, he says, his aim is not to please, but to create honest, deeply felt expression. This is how ‘Something She Said’, the last track on Echomyr, came about. It was inspired by images on the news from war zones such as Gaza and Ukraine. Danielsson does not respond with loudness or anger, but rather with thoughtfulness and compassion. An echo from within – this is music with sincerity.. and clarity...and timelessness.