"Inner Spirits" unites two kindred spirits from very different parts of the world: pianist Jan Lundgren from Ystad in Sweden and guitarist Yamandu Costa from the southernmost Brazilian province of Rio Grande del Sur. An unusual connection at first glance, but the special chemistry between the two musicians creates something extraordinary. "For Yamandu Costa, the guitar is a natural extension of his body and soul," wrote an American journalist. The Grammy winner's (and six-time nominee's) playing is characterized by great elegance, constant harmonic flow and a deep knowledge of Latin American music - in a wide variety of formations, from solo to work with symphony orchestras. Jan Lundgren has made a significant contribution to the development of European jazz over the last two decades, particularly with the trio "Mare Nostrum" together with Paolo Fresu and Richard Galliano. The British newspaper "The Observer" has described his music as having "a flair for melody and a lightness of touch that makes the collective sound both delicate and irresistible" - virtues that also characterize the duo Lundgren & Costa. Jan Lundgren and Yamandu Costa met in Malmö in southern Sweden in 2019 and quickly discovered a deep enthusiasm for each other's music. Lundgren invited Costa to play at the Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival, which he was directing, and they eventually decided to play together as a duo. "I was very pleased that the program makers at the Stockholm Konserthuset liked the idea as much as we did," recalls Lundgren. On February 17, 2023, the two performed together on stage for the first time. The unusual combination delighted everyone involved, more concerts followed and the desire for a joint album grew. And so, one year after their first meeting, Lundgren and Costa went to the ACT Art Gallery in Berlin for a few days of preparation and finally into the studio together with producer Andreas Brandis. Thanks to the deep mutual understanding between Lundgren and Costa and the ease and spontaneity of their interplay, the recording of "Inner Spirits" took just one and a half days. Andreas Brandis says: "It's amazing to hear how closely Lundgren and Costa's playing interlocks, how they constantly switch the roles of main and secondary voice. Both are masters of harmony and melody, each with their own cultural background." Jan Lundgren agrees: "That's what connects us the most and that's why we like each other so much". And Costa adds: "I believe that something really sincere and genuine emerges from our original compositions and the way we play together." The original compositions and often also their titles make it clear how personal this album is for both musicians. Jan Lundgren dedicates one piece each to his Mare Nostrum partners Paolo Fresu and Richard Galliano and another to his wife, singer Hannah Svensson, who also co-composes another piece. They embody the "sound of Europe" with influences from classical and traditional music, which Lundgren has helped to shape so decisively in jazz. The pieces written by Yamandu Costa are reminiscent of his socialization through the music of Latin America. The rhythm of "Para Aprender A Amar" (Learning to Love) comes from the Ecuadorian pasillo. With the lively choro 'Diplomata' and the little-known gem 'Garoto' by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Costa explores the music of his native Brazil. And his "violão de sete cordas", a seven-string guitar, also comes from the Brazilian musical tradition. With its variety of styles, tempos and moods, "Inner Spirits" is addictive. Jan Lundgren and Yamandu Costa's winning combination of empathy, mutual respect and deep musicality have produced an album that has what it takes to become a modern classic of the piano/guitar duo.