Camac Blog
Full Resolution: Exciting New Releases from Stina Hellberg Agback
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May 23, 2025
We are thrilled to share details of two recordings, which are the culmination of major projects by our dear friend, Stina Hellberg Agback, in Sweden.
“The Standard is The Standard,” released in February this year on the Naxos Prophone label, features a delicious mix of classic jazz standards alongside some of Stina’s original compositions. Stina felt honoured to collaborate with legendary musicians of the Swedish jazz scene, Filip Augustson (double bass and Jon Fält ( For a quarter of a century, drummer of the iconic Bobo Stenson Trio).
This record celebrates the intimacy and interplay between these musicians, their rich, individual history and knowledge of jazz, and the art of improvisation. Stina says “The music on the record is songs that all three of us are so familiar with, that it allows us to play around with it, sending and receiving impulses so that the music evolves with the trio. “
We are pleased to inform you that you should also mark your calendars for the end of this week, specifically May 23rd, when Stina’s band, Shinken Shobu, will launch their debut record, “Sou Makuri.” Augmenting the trio formation for this album are Eva Lindal on violin and Alberto Pinton on woodwinds (flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet). In contrast to the collection of standards, this album pushes stylistic boundaries. “The music on this record is nothing like traditional jazz,” explains Stina. “All the music is composed by me, and I intended to push the players out of their comfort zone to force us all to create a new kind of jazz.”
The name of the group and the title of their album demonstrate the richness of Stina’s experience, both inside and outside of music. Stina has been training in the Japanese martial art of iaido for some time, an ancient form of sword fighting that emphasises hyperawareness and reactivity. “Shinken Shobu means fight with sharp swords, and in modern Japan, it refers to being very serious about something, giving it your all. Sou Makuri means full resolution. The reason for this is that I have tried to merge all my musical experiences in these compositions, giving it my all.”
The set list draws upon rich influences, evoking the sound of other instruments on the harp. For example, the album’s opening track, “21:an,” was composed on the kantele, a traditional Finnish plucked instrument, while “Svåra” draws inspiration from the sound of the African kora.
There are also some profound reflections on the ups and downs of our lives: “The last track, “Leva om sitt liv” (Live your life again) is a reflection on the fact that you sometimes learn something that changes your view on everything in your life, everything you have experienced has to be viewed through a new filter. This record was the product of a lot of personal reflections during a difficult time in my life, but I would say that the record also contains a lot of humour and passion for life and play.”
Stina is proud to perform on a Camac Elysée, which she purchased at the 2022 World Harp Congress, for both of these recordings. “the volume the Elysée brought to the table made all the difference for these records”. They recorded both albums live in the same room, capturing a truly essential performance.
According to Stina, the Elysée’s power and projection rival that of the piano, allowing her to play authentically without the constraints of forced technique. “Both my Atlantide and the Elysée have the option of using a pick-up, but the acoustics of the harps allow me to play many gigs acoustically, which is amazing.”
We urge you to get online and to listen to these unique, touching records:
The Standard is The Standard:
https://on.soundcloud.com/4e6uHbNV91tJewZaA
Sou Makuri:
https://on.soundcloud.com/HSuqiiaWvvAh88847
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