Soul Quality Quartet

Formed in 1993, Sweden's Soul Quality Quartet originally included bassist Mats Ingvarsson, guitarist Johan Leijonhufvud, keyboardist Mans Mernsten, saxophonist Jonas Palm, and drummer Per Svensson; the group added singer Almaz Yebio and percussionist Mans Block to the lineup after their first record, 1995's Strip. SQQ signed to Germany's Dialog/Sonar Kollektiv label and issued a self-titled EP featuring remix work from Jazzanova. Inspired equally by sounds classic and current, Latin jazz, soul-jazz, hip-hop, and drum'n'bass each figure prominently in the group's sound. No strangers to the stage, the quartet has been known to thoroughly and rigorously tour Scandinavia, often backing other singers and rappers. ~ Andy Kellman