(103) Paul J. MacArthur, Jazz Report Magazine -- 01/04/2000

First of three volumes of compositions from bassist Eric von Essen whose untimely passing has left a profound impression on musicians who knew him well. Born in 1954 to parents of both Swedish and East Indian descent, von Essen went on to record with Jimmy Rowles, Bob Brookmeyer, and Tom Harrell among others. From downbeat to the very last fading note, the performances are uniformly breathtaking.