Press
Reviews from Konkarong "Yellow Butterflies" 2025
With their second and comletely fresh album, the gang behind Konkarong continues in the same successful track as last. A mixture of fusion and afro/funk. They mention Zawinul Syndicate and manu Dibango as important sources of inspiration. Theere are definitely family ties with the role models while Konkarong has found its own expression. Saxophonist and singer Sofi Hellborg leads the group together with keyboardist Robert Tjäderkvist and they share the songwriting. Groovy and charming music throuhout where many of the songs are contagious and it is difficult to sit still. Stylish guitar riffs and solos signed Magnus Lindeberg and a tight rythm section with David Andersson on bass, Salieu Dibba on various percussion and Frank "Frallan" Nilsson behind the drums. There are hip grooves and many exellent solos as as some singing from a group the obviously has a lot of fun together. Yellow Butterflies offers a real party atmoshere and it probably best suited dancing to.
Lira 21 feb-25, by Andreas Lagercrantz
Reviews from Kaxophonic jan/feb-2023
"Kaxophonic stands for high energy, solid swing and a healthy dose of joy of playing. The Swedish collective Kaxophonics first album shows us that you don´t really need more than saxophones drums and percussion instruments if you´re made of the right stuff.This gang plays mostly their own songs matched with the heavy beat from the drums and persistent, hefty horn riffs. Different kinds of music are woven together beautifully to form a kaxophonic whole.There is a lot of Africa in the playing and the attitude, and jazz sneaks in mostly in the solos.The blues feel is a given. It´s nice that the group also captures the Swedish folkmusic here and there with their own versions of ”Slängpolska efter Byss-Calle” and Jonas Simonssons ”Nordic Wolf”.
Sydsvenska Dagbladet– Alexander Agrell, January 2023
"Chaotic joy of playing and cocky rhythms infect you when the acoustic band Kaxophonic releases their first album with their own music inspired by West African rhythms. The musicians in the band, consisting of four saxophones and five drummers, have years of experience in afro, jazz and folkmusic from Sweden and West Africa. The music is fantastically enegetic and at times cacophonic – in the positive sense of the word.Favorites on the CD are many, among others Sofi Hellborgs Saxparty as well as Jonas Simonssons Nordic Wolf and a wonderful version of the well-known folksong Byss-Calle".
Lira-music magazine- Alexandra Ullsten, February 2023
Reviews from CON10UUM-Hellskotta-april 2022
“A word that suits Hellskotta’s music is Energy. The band drives the music forward in a lovely way which makes the music entertaining and ingenious.”
Lennart Götesson, Dala-Demokraten
“…to me this is so much the present and so much the future. May Hellskotta continue for at least another decade!”
Bronson Månson, Orkesterjournalen
Reviews from Konkarong, dec 2021/22:
"The music becomes intense, light and graceful at the same time. Well compoesed with a playful feel. Plenty of nice solos, lyrical and full of action from Hellborg, Robert Tjäderkvist and Magnus Lindeberg."
Alexander Agrell, Sydsvenskan - dec 2021
“We enter immediately. High tempo, full speed, the party is on! No detours, no intros or preparations. Funky, afro, jazzy fast tempos. It´s joy, love, catchy and spreading the hope of a better world, just as Sofi Hellborg always does. And Konkarong, which she runs together with Robert Tjäderkvist, won´t let you go, all in from start to finish. That’s why it’s a party record that can bubble an entire evening with a lot of nice grooves.”
Bronson Månsson, Orkesterjournalen, dec- 2021
"In the past they have played afro-pop with jazzy and funky elements, but here it is rather a kind fusion they do, with a wonderful rocking turn. I associate to groups like Weather Report and Syro Gyra. Rythms are very much in the center of Konkarong. For the rhytmic framework, bassist Ale William Sjöström, drummer Frank" Frallan" Nilsson and percussionist Salieu Dibba are in close interaction with the keyboars and guitars. Everything flows so easily and freely that you almost miss all the fine little details. If the polyrhythmic flow is one of the corner stones, the many infectious melodies are another. Many exellent solos are also offered. So the groups's debut album is a wonderfully sunny acquaintance that raises the temperature in cold January."
Andreas Lagercrantz, Music magazine, Lira Feb -22
Reviews from Badibado with Hellskotta 2019:
“This is qualified jazz and at the same time easy to listen to.”
Lennart Götesson, Dala Democrats
“In Badibado" they give samples of intricate horn arrangements and suggestive sounds and rhythms. With loans from other genres and samples, they creates an impressive divercity”.
Björn G Stenberg, Unt.se
“Hellborg is lyrical driven in her solos. Abelli shoots away colourful trombone cascades. Erik plays longer and has a urbansounding sound as a soloist and in the ensemble”.
Patrik Larsson, Orkesterjournalen
Reviews on “Kuling 2017” Hellskotta
"Energy and pulse are the words of the new record, and the mood changes. Hellborg is lyrically driven by fancy and tonic solos. Göran Abelli's colorful trombone solos give extra pressure to the ensemble. Skott has a delicious rhythmic phrase. "
Orchestra Journals June -17
"What musicians,! Just listen to the saxophonist Sofi Hellborg as she leads her band Hellskotta in wild dances on the album"
Kuling "UNT-May 17
"The music is rich in speech. Skott's melody flow, Abellis calm Solon and Hellborg delicious fits are distinct, but they illuminate and comment on each other."
Magnus Eriksson, Lira May -17
Reviews from Hellskotta first cd 2014
"Incredibly floating they create together."
Anders Stock Cratz, Lira November 2014
"What fits better into a band whose music is in hell swinging?"
Sara Sagraeus, Folkbladet, December 2014
"The songs are stable danceable structures, while there is a movement and escape over them. The music changes often temperamental and there is a delicious dynamic between Abellis more meaty, earthy games and explosivity of the guitar and sax."
Alexander Agrell, Sydsvenskan 2014
"Self-band call their music groove jazz; African blues or funk ethno could perhaps also be able to say. Swings do it anyway."
Sven Bjerstedt, Ystad Allehanda, 2014
"It swings at times cruel and sound feels much larger than the quintet.
I like this!"
Tor-Björn Lyrhed, Corren, 2014
Reviews from cd Sun & Rain
With a number of albums behind them has Sofi Hellborg almost become veterans in its compartment. On the new album, one is struck anew by which a roll band gets up. The interaction is sublime and syncopations so well-oiled that it's easy to miss the details of the whole. A great dose of jazz can be heard on the new album, mainly of soloists but also part of the horn arrangements.
There are currently no remarks, the disc is full of sunny music of varying tempo and intensity. So if you have not become acquainted with Sophie before, Sun & Rain is a great introduction.
Andreas Lagercrantz, Lira magasin april 2013
I often talk about the musician's touch, and the importance of just a good one confirmed by the "Sun & Rain". In Hellborg music it does not feels like the African elements are tacked as they sometimes do in other non-African musician who moves to an area like Hellborg´s. The lush rhythms and fresh melodies are a natural part of her songs. Hellborg also sings, but in contrast to the troubling plurality of Swedish jazz singers she is released from both the self-assertion and pretentious mannerisms. She is disarmingly unpretentious; focus is on the music and not on her own. To listen Sofi Hellborg is not being forced into a clinch with the artist's need to constantly prove their self-image and excellence. She has no such manners. I need hardly point out that it is refreshing!
Peter Sjöblom, Tidningen Kulturen september 2013
Saxophonist and singer Sofi Hellborg, one of the few women in the industry, with her eighth cd done, is best so far. That she lived in Paris, London and particularly in Cameroon, you do not doubt, after a few beats boiling pot with jazz and funk, sharply spiced with African music. Singers and musicians with roots from Nigeria and Gambia naturally contributes to the sound. Sofi Hellborg Gang as the band called are playing some really fair mean solos. Sofi solos are probably the best thing I heard from her, a little rougher and freer.
Jan Westerlund, Västerbotten Kuriren
***** Ystad Jazz festival 2011. To give 5 stars the band has to hold a world class standard. Tell me a band outside Africa that plays better afro than Sofi Hellborg Gang!! (5 stars to Sofi hellborg Gang!)
Ystad Allehanda by Bengt Eriksson
Reviews of Drumming is calling
Drumming is calling is in many ways an album that keeps you longing for more. It is not exactly a jazz record, but it delivers enough jazz feel and fine improvisations by Sofi, mainly on the soprano saxophone, Ola Åkerman on the trombone and Ola Hedén on the piano (Cannot stop to play). Mats Ingvarsson delivers a fresh, heavily pumping bass line and the tightness of the band actually reminds me a little of Sonny Rollins and Cliff Anderson.
Stig Linderoth, Orkesterjournalen, Swedish jazz magazine, April 2008
No matter how much funk or jazz Sofi adds to her music, the African sound is always prominent. The rhythms are rough but soft – like they are in afrobeat. Although Sofi has been criticized for her weak voice, she insists on singing. Which is a good thing. Her small but distinctive voice makes the music even more personal. And she has never had such a tight and great sounding band.
Bengt Eriksson, Svenska Dagbladet April 9, 2008
Once you get over Sofi Hellborg’s somewhat fragile voice (or is it in fact just the English language standing in her way?), you realize that she is actually one of Sweden’s main international artists. The music she creates! On her last album, Tony Allen and Swedish artist Timbuktu helped her out. This time she stands on her own two feet, backed up by her band, and she is more infallible and confident than ever. Afrofunk and jazz merge with Caribbean flavors and each and every song on the album is of the highest quality.
Patrik Lindgren, Göteborgsposten April 1, 2008
Her current band is so tight and play so well together that I doubt there is a more swinging band in all of Sweden. With his importance, not only to African music, but to groove-based music in general, Fela Kuti is of course a key influence for Sofi Hellborg, but the music does not rest there. Because, even though the musical framework, without a doubt, is built on different kinds of African pop, she adds several other styles to the blend. The fact that there are no more than two horn players on most of the tracks is impressing – the horn arrangements are tight and viral all the way through. The rhythmical drive of base, drums, and percussion carries the music like an onrushing train. With a bunch of excellent songs and plenty of inspiring solos, especially from Sofi Hellborg’s saxophones, Drumming is calling is practically a consummate album.
Andreas Lagercrantz, Lira Musiktidning, Swedish music magazine May 10, 2008
Reviews "To give is to get" The CD:
This is how life should be. A musical journey with Sofi´s horn arrangements and intimate singing is a sacred experience. The record is like a smiling summer night at the end of a long and cold winter.
By Gary Landström, Groove Magazine – March 2006
Sofi´s first record in 5 years sounds better than those in the past. Partly it is because of the king of afrobeat drumming, Tony Allen. He plays perfect cooking, nervy and boiling drums. Mr Allen plays on only four songs but the ordinary drummer Jean Francois Ludovicus is also a very good drummer. The proof of his skills is on the track "Jungle in my livingroom". Sofi writes effective riffs and melodies and her sax works nicely together with trombonist Ola Åkerman. Both of them understand how to play short, soulful solos. Sofi burns brightest in the above mentioned "Jungle in my livingroom".
By Alexander Agrell Sydsvenskan – March 2006
Concert reviews:
There are not many Swedish musicians who have as big experience of African music as Sofi Hellborg. She heads her band with natural self-assurance and warmth. The music is funk, jazz, afrobeat which lay emphasis on on dance and groove. At the same time she sends out a sensitivity that's completely honest. As a saxophone player she draws towards the funky side. As a singer she is weaker but on the other hand controls a way of singing that is typical African. The singing is an expression of the music and the band rather than of her own personality. And as such it is very convincing.
By Johannes Cornel, Dagens Nyheter – 11/3 2006
After Fela Kuti and Tony Allen, Sofi Hellborg is the one who best preserves the afrobeat. Then it fits well that Tony Allen is a part of this album. Afro-rhythms, jazz and funk mixes and filtrates through Sofi. The result is a more warm and kind – should I say female – brand of Afro beat. Sofi plays humble, beautiful saxophone tones and her open attitude towards the music, the people and the world makes Sofi Hellborgs afromusic her own, special and good.
By Bengt Eriksson Rootsy.nu – May 2006
Two talented women hornplayers in the frontline dominates the show. Sofi Hellborg´s funky and danceable afropop is easy to take in because of its positive energy, overwhelming the audience. And ofcourse because of this elastic heavy groove that all of the six musicians controls in many different forms of variarities. We discovered also what a soulful and pushy saxplayer Sofi is.
Alexander Agrell Sydsvenska Dagbladet -98
Groovy, funny and good, Sofi
Marlene Lövgren Kvällsposten - aug 96
Concert in Paris may-99: It's live you have to listen to Sofi. On the peniche boat the musicians laid out a carpet of rocky groovy sound, and Sofi put her sensible, crispy voice and intensive saxophone on top.
Christer Carlbäck Gränslöst
Concert in Saint-Gilles, La Reunion - 94: Born from the country far in the north, the blond saxophonist has showed us with talent that she vibrates of African rhythms. She hit us all!
Thierry Barra La Reunion
Reviews cd Travel & See 1993
Sofi hellborg 's first solo cd includes of course Afromusic but Sofi´s modern afro sound which is as
much swedish as it is african. But it doesn´t sound like any african music that I have heard before! Each tone from her saxophone is a tone of solidarity...
Bengt Eriksson, Svenska Dagbladet 23.03.93
On her own this swedish musician makes uplifting pop music with african influences. The rhythms and the words are aimed at the feet.
Fredrik Söderling, Dagens Nyheter 02.04.93
I have been waiting for Sofi´s solo Lp since I heard her play with Mory Kante. On this cd Sofi is better on saxophone than on vocals But in overall I give it full marks.
Kenneth Hammargren, Nya Wermlands Tidningen 06.09.93
Reviews from cd Hey Now 1996
Cool groove with lots of warmth, joyfulness in words and melodies - this is Sofi´s second CD "Hey Now". The music is characterised by a pureness that feels honest. The band is tight and groovy.
It is exiting to hear odd instrument like the Thumb piano.
Yvonne Erlandsson, Kvällsposten -96
Sofi est une pleine de talent qui souffle le feu dans son alto, chenu et sensuel. "Hey Now" est un album robuste, plein d´énergie, Finement construit, baigné de vibrations africaines, de funk et d´afro beat.Tout cool,t out groove. Exitant.
Jaques Matinet L´Affiche nov-96
"Hey Now" reflète une culture musicale approndie, loin des clichés acid jazz raccoler. L´Afrique est l´âme de cette musique et lui a donné ses rondeurs rythmique. Le swing naturel qui Sofi est son Gang a su utiliser avec grace sans lourdeur.
Domisoul Funk Magazine dec - 96
Reviews third cd "Time Will Tell"1998
Natural like water running in the river flows this third cd of Sofi Hellborg "Time will Tell". A mixed pot of afrofunk, a bit of Highlife and some really nice drum´n´bass. A swallow of happiness.
Måns Wallgren, Dagens Nyheter 15.05.98
The record "Time will Tell" is a well produced record with very competitive musicians. She dare to be sensual, she plays beautifully. Very warm music!
Thomas Millroth, Orkesterjournalen sept - 98
The third production "Time will Tell" and the strongest so far makes Sofi one of the hottest player right now in the category of women players. Not one track resembles. The groove of her is soft and unconvensual and with inspiration from Africa gives the music a nice tension. From this she creates exiting stories from one of her saxophones or her voice.
Knut Johansson, Helsingborgs Dagblad spring 98
