Rickard Javerling Two Times Five Lullaby CD - Import

This Swedish multi-instrumental musician admits a debt to folk music in general and Chicago post-rock in particular. On his first U.S. full-length release, he conjures the shade of John Fahey, as well as elements of the Tortoise offshoot Pullman, in a set of gorgeously realized, dappled acoustic instrumentals like the childlike "Windplay" and the simple, hypnotic 'Second Summer," the latter of which has the hazy, cozy charm of a late autumn afternoon.

Swedish travelling musician Rickard Jäverling is a man with heart, something never more evident than when gliding through Two Times Five Lullaby -- his debut album. After spending some time in Ireland and Glasgow playing folk music to earn a living, Jäverling decided to return to his native Sweden and start laying down the tracks he'd always dreamed of with his musical friends in Stockholm. Taking influence from his love of American folk music, Chicago post-rock, classic Swedish prog and the pastoral ambience of Eno and Budd, Jäverling began to piece together a record utilizing the musical talents of anyone he could find. We have banjos, accordion, drums, harps and even Hammond organ (played by Sagor and Swing's Erik Malmberg) dropped into the mix in what feels like a document of friendly inclusion. A coherent whole when listened to from beginning to end, Jäverling has created a record which reads like a book, each chapter detailing excitement, adventure, love and remorse. Whether moulding a classic hoedown ("Three Sisters"), a softly-spoken ballad ("Two Times Five Lullaby"), slow-burning prog ("Track") or a nostalgic waltz ("Martina's Waltz") it is Jäverling's honesty and pure uncynical talent that always shines through, and in this post-millennial climate that is more than you could ever ask for.