Sten Sandell's playing may be connected to New Music and Improvised Music, and neither of these musical directions would be associated with what is typically considered as Jazz. However, both Paal Nilssen-Love and Johan Berthling have done considerable work with bands more connected to the history of that aesthetic (in Paal's case, most notably with the quintet, ATOMIC; in Johan's, perhaps the trio LSB). The combination of these sets of experience bring considerable force to the range of possibilities in the music played by this group and on this album. Having this music in the air provides important trace of what it means to be alive in our world that would otherwise be missing. I believe that this trio's playing gives us one more reason to live on this planet with optimism for the future. - "Why Music?" A very good answer is provided here, through the sounds and ideas of Sten Sandell, Paal Nilssen-Love, and Johann Berthling working together on "OVAL".

Engineer: Jeroen Visser
Cover art: Terry Nilssen-Love
Graphic design: Jonas Schoder
Photos: Francesca Pfeffer
Liner notes: Ken Vandermark

All music by Sten Sandell (STIM/ncb), Johan Berthling (STIM/ncb), Paal Nilssen-Love (TONO/ncb) | Recorded at Taktlos Festival, Rote Fabrik, Zurich, Switzerland, June 4th 2005 | Engineered by Jeroen Visser, Mixed and mastered by Sten Sandell and Göran Stegborn in Stockholm, May 2006. Produced by Sandell, Berthling, Nilssen-Love and Intakt Records. Published & copyright by Intakt Records. Executive production by Patrik Landolt