Leonhard Skorupa somehow manages to leave his mark on every band he’s a part of. The Vienna saxophonist and clarinetist has a penchant for surprise and wry humor; he’s anything but a wet blanket. His Sketchbook Quartet is marked by a lively, contemporary sound – rooted in the jazz tradition, to be sure, but the band has no problem integrating influences from musical styles, ranging from straight-ahead jazz to surf rock.

The music of this refreshingly unconventional quartet could almost pass for chamber jazz – if it weren’t for the strong syncopated rhythms and the undertone of uninhibited rock-and-roll. In any case, the Sketchbook Quartet is partially responsible for the growing self-confidence of the Austrian jazz scene in recent years, as well as for its international mobility and popularity. The band can be counted on to deliver a fresh, vibrating sound, celebrating a quintessentially modern, joyful, prickly eclecticism.

If previous Oddgeir Berg Trio albums made you think of ECM, the new one carves out a more personal sound. Much of this sonic signature came about in post-production. Berg remembers the process as one of careful touches: "To me, it feels like an evolving landscape. I have quite a few synths and effect pedals in my locker, but I try not to overdo things. I always ask myself: Does this add a new and beneficial dimension to the mix - or is it too much?"