In her new album available May 23 on digital platforms, Swedish jazz and experimental harpist Stina Hellberg Agback features original compositions for her ensemble, Shinken Shobu. According to a press release, “shinken shobu” is a Japanese expression meaning “a duel with sharp swords,” and the phrase has come to signify being “dead serious” in modern Japan. Agback says the album represents a deeply personal and artistic struggle—a culmination of her musical identity, created during a period of profound personal reflection. The album’s title, Sou Makuri (Full Resolution), represents bringing together all facets of her musical voice. “This album has been a true fight for me in the sense of taking full responsibility for every artistic choice,” she says.
Agback’s original compositions for the album are designed to encourage playfulness, interaction, and risk-taking within the ensemble. She describes the album as a “playground for the players,” embracing humor, spontaneity, and the expressive possibilities of instrumental music. The musicians of Shinken Shobu include Agback (harp), Eva Lindal (violin), Alberto Pinton (woodwinds), Filip Augustsson (double bass), and Jon Fält (drums).
Learn more on Agback’s website. Check out Harp Column’s recording review of her recent album The Standard Is the Standard.
