December 2000

Ivan Paduart
Belgian Suites
A Records

By Harvey Siders

The latest offering from pianist-composer Paduart could have been called Belgian Sweets. The eight originals provide a flavorful, acoustic sampling of swinging goodies that show the range of his art, from the introspection of "Precious Moments" (dedicated to his son), to the straightahead romp "Bouncing Ball."
Paduart's arrangements are meticulously constructed with most of the intensity coming from his solo statements and those of tenorist Bob Malach, who boasts a beautiful tone. The stand-up bass of Hein Van de Geyn and the drumming of Hans Van Oosterhout propel them. It's hard to imagine that Paduart's roots lie in fusion.