This is Dutch saxophonist Dick De Graaf's third CD with his septet, and although he is little known in the States, he displays a knack for attractively original slightly left-of-center compositions with strong hooks. Using two horns (the other is trombonist Hans Sparla), a traditional rhythm section of bass, piano, and drums, plus electric guitar and violin, De Graaf carves snaky lines that never cross the border but instead highlight a quirky adventurousness. The unusual instrumentation adds immeasurably to the group sound. Michael Gustorff plays his violin like a horn, with delightfully refreshing solos. Contrariwise, Onno Kelk's guitar pumps up the volume with some nasty improvisations. Sparla's trombone sticks to the middle range, but his gruff tone and rough-edged style (with hints of Grachan Moncur III) contrast with De Graaf's more traditional sound on tenor and soprano. This largely fulfilling release should win a wider audience for De Graff's writing and leadership skills. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG.
Timeless Records, CD SJP 420,
1994
Recorded 4th January, 1994 2-track
digital at Lindenberg Recording Studio, Nijmegen, Holland
Musicians:
Dick De Graaf - Tenor &
Soprano Saxes, Arranger
Hans Sparla - Trombone
Gé Bijvoet - Piano
Onno Kelk - Guitar
Egon Kracht - Bass
Pieter Bast - Drums
Michael Gustorff - Violin
Tracks:
1. Stepping Stones (9:03)
2. P.M. (10:49)
3. Heartbeat (9:31)
4. R.A.M. [Roundabout At
Midnight] (5:25)
5. Sunday Morning Soweto [At
Sofie's] (7:29)
6. Slo Mo (6:44)
7. Jams And Jellies (6:05)
All compositions by Dick De Graaf
Total Time: 55:09
Credits:
Producer - Dick De Graaf,
Manuel Cooymans
Executive Producer - Wim
Wigt, Radio Netherlands International
Engineer - Manuel Cooymans
and Stephan Dirkx
Digital Editing - Stephan,
Dick, Ge, Michael & Hans 6th January, 1994
A&R Timeless - Anne De
Jong
Art Direction & Design -
Dolphin Graphics and Sound
Photography - Joost Leijen
