Record Reviews

JELLE VAN GIEL GROUP ~ SONGS FOR EVERYONE HEVHETIA 0098 (Barcode: 8588005257404) ~ BELGIUM ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the debut album by Belgian drummer / composer Jelle Van GielFind albums by this artist and his group, which is a septet also including trumpeter Carlo NardozzaFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Steven DelannoyeFind albums by this artist and Erik BogaertsFind albums by this artist, pianist Bram WeijtersFind albums by this artist, guitarist Tim FinoulstFind albums by this artist and bassist Janos BruneelFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Van Giel, who is also in charge of the arrangements. The music is a collection of melodic pieces, all well within the mainstream Jazz formula, nicely arranged for the group, skillfully utilizing the brass section and full of exciting solos by all participants. Although definitely on the easy side of the Jazz spectrum, this is a very well played collection of beautiful tunes, which is a great fun to listen to. The brass arrangements could have been much more adventurous of course as they mostly follow the American school dating from the Swing Days of the 1940s, but on the other hand they have a nice nostalgic tang to it The individual contributions by all the participants are professional and skilful, with well crafted soloing and sympathetic delivery. However the overall atmosphere is a bit too relaxed, and lacks passion and excitement, as if everybody was afraid to take any risks. Such calculated approach always bears the risk of losing the attention of the listener after a few tunes. The album´s title might have been a bit more meaningful than Van Giel initially intended. Overall this is a nice debut effort, which portrays Van Giel as a skillful composer and arranger, but offers little intellectual challenge to more advanced listeners. Fans of melodic, rounded and pleasurable Jazz will have a great deal of fun with this album. The second album "test" should be quite interesting in this case.

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BRAM WEIJTERS – CHAD MCCULLOUGH QUARTET ~ ABSTRACT QUANTITIES WERF 126 (Barcode: 5413905111262) ~ BELGIUM ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the third album by the international quartet co-led by Belgian pianist / composer Bram WeijtersFind albums by this artist and US trumpeter / composer Chad McCulloughFind albums by this artist and including bassist Piet VerbistFind albums by this artist and drummer John BishopFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, eight of which were composed by Weijters and three by McCullough. Two of these tunes are piano-trumpet duets. The music is modern Jazz, well within the mainstream boundaries, but presents ambitious compositions and excellent performances, well above the "usual" mainstream outings. Beautifully melancholic tunes, obviously of European origin, dominate the proceedings, allowing McCullough to play some heartbreakingly lyrical solos. The rhythm section supports the soloists sympathetically and with obvious empathy and intelligence. Verbist plays some great bass lines and Bishop stays respectfully in the background, gently steering the quartet´s pulse. During the album´s duration the listener is exposed to different formats, from full quartet, via piano trio passages and intimate duets, which emphasizes the diversity and openness of this music and the quartet as an ensemble. Weijters plays mostly the acoustic piano, but also uses electric keyboards most effectively. Overall the level of the performances is first class and the entire album is an exquisite listening experience from start to end. This album is a typical example of contemporary mainstream Jazz, which can be interesting and even moving, in contrast to most other recordings in that idiom. Avoiding clichés and banality these musicians shoe us hoe it should be done! Hats off Gentlemen!

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