‘Y​-​OTIS TRE’ is the latest album by Swedish tenor saxophonist Otis Sandsjö. TRE finds Sandsjö working again with his close friends and collaborators Petter Eldh and Dan Nicholls. After his debut ‘Y-OTIS’ album, in 2018, in 2020, he put forward ‘Y-OTIS 2’, released via Helsinki-based We Jazz Records.

Sandsjö has always presented his ever-evolving musical style with each release, from his debut album to its follow-up. This third album doesn’t shy away from pushing the boundary of contemporary and Sandsjö’s music. This album has original pieces composed by the trio and produced by Eldh and Sandsjö; Y-OTIS TRE ventures into the realm of liquid jazz – a signature style of the Eldh/Sandsjö.

The soundscape painted by all the tracks of this album can be described as an ‘audio mosaic’, an amalgamation of multiple styles like hip-hop, electronica and jazz, which is noticeable from the first track ‘OOMY’. After a bit laid back and staggered first track, the second track, ‘midi day job’, takes the tempo up a notch with groovy cymbal work, short melody lines and vamp-like keyboard work. The following tracks, ‘ pluralregn’ and ‘perla/moln’, are more about creating a space to immerse yourself in.

‘CLICKS 2023’ and ‘earrings’ both tracks feature hypnotisingly fluid yet gnarly saxophone riffs, strong melodies, open chords and funk beats. These features are also prevalent in other tracks like ‘sol 94’. ‘RHUBARBS’ is a kaleidoscope of layers of multiple lines working in perfect harmony. ‘Orkaneon’ and ‘LOOMY’ will be incredibly captivating if you are a fan of fast drum work and bebop-like sax playing. The keys and reeds bestow a jazz standard-esque feel upon these tracks. The last track, ‘donatt gonatt,’ is a hauntingly beautiful song, mainly owing to the phenomenal keyboard playing and flute work. This song is the apt closure to this mesmerizing album.

This album is like a New Year present for any ardent listener of nu jazz, avant-garde, or experimental jazz. From a sui generis style of composing all the tracks to the astute production craft, this album checks all the boxes for an album that should be revered as a timeless masterpiece.