Dutch Treats
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Oh, My Dog
ICP
The ICP Orchestra encapsulates the singular absurdist aesthetic of experimental Dutch jazz. The group, once known as the Instant Composers Pool Orchestra, has existed in some form or another for nearly four decades, forever helmed by the marvelous pianist...
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Live at the Bimhuis
TryTone
Trombonist Wolter Wierbos has been on a lot of recordings over the last few decades, but very few under his own name, and he rarely composes. Yet his personal stamp is so strong that no matter who's leading a session, he frequently becomes a de facto co...
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Jewels and Binoculars: The Music of Bob Dylan
Ramboy
Reedist Michael Moore, a California expat who's lived in Amsterdam since the mid-'80s, has been one of ICP Orchestra's most flexible participants. He displays another facet of his creative range in a trio recording called Jewels and Binoculars: The Music...
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Soft Nose
Bvhaast Records
Reedist Michael Moore turns up in a crucial supporting role on Soft Nose (Bvhaast), the third album by cornetist Eric Boeren. As on his previous recordings, Boeren is in thrall of the music made by the classic Ornette Coleman Quartet, integrating five of...
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Hef
Atavistic Records
The interactions between reedist Ab Baars and guitarist Terrie Ex on Hef (Atavistic) are considerably louder and more chaotic than your typical collection of duets. A charter member of the ICP, Baars commands a vast vocabulary on tenor saxophone and clarinet...
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Pelikanismus
ICP
On his third album Pelikanismus (ICP) the brawny tenor saxophonist Tobias Delius proceeds from the edge of his seat. Over the last few years he's developed a telepathic rapport with his excellent quartet-bassist Joe Williamson and more of those damned ICPers...
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Witchfiddle
ICP
Violin and viola improviser Mary Oliver is the newest member of the ICP and, like Michael Moore, she's another California expat, living in Amsterdam since the late '90s. She showcases her extemporaneous playing on her solo album Witchfiddle (ICP), which...
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Dworr Buun
Kontrans
There's nothing light about Dworr Bunn (Kontrans), the latest album by Braaxtaal, the experimental rock band fronted by crazed sound artist and vocalist Jaap Blonk. On many of his own recordings the absurdist vocal spew of Blonk can deliver the most dissonant...
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Ere Ibeji
Bvhaast Records
The arrangements on Ere Ibeji (Bvhaast), the latest CD by pianist Martin Fondse's Oktemble, are lovely-full of silken reed passages and warm brass lines. Big surprise: reedist Michael Moore turns up again, along with former ICP cellist Ernst Reijseger, but...
July/August 2002 By Peter Margasak
Aida Giuseppe Verdi
Bvhaast Records
Since forming I Compani back in 1985, leader/saxophonist Bo van de Graaf has had this small orchestra explore a wide variety of nonjazz styles, from the film music of Nino Rota to original compositions steeped in tango and circus music-van de Graaf is himself...
