Monday, December 23, 2013

KEES HAZEVOET QUARTET – Pleasure (1970) Re-2004




Label: Atavistic – UMS/ALP234CD
Series: Unheard Music Series –
Format: CD, Album, Reissue; Country: US - Released: 2004
Style: Free Jazz, Free Improvisation
Recorded on September 6, 1970 in the auditorium of Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
Design [Cover] – Fred R. Willemse
Engineer – Alwin Mulder
Photography By – Andries L. Hazevoet
Producer – Kees Hazevoet, Tony Schreuder
Reissue Producer, Liner Notes – John Corbett


 
It's no surprise that most free jazz fans haven't heard Pleasure. The 1970 debut from pianist/clarinetist Kees Hazevoet and his quartet was originally released in the Netherlands as a tiny edition of 250 copies replete with silk-screened covers. It may have been the first offering from Hazevoet under his own name, but by the time of Pleasure's release he was already deeply entrenched in the European free improvisation scene. On Pleasure he's joined by two fellow countrymen: alto saxophonist Kris Wanders and bassist Arjen Gorter, both of whom had been playing with Hazevoet as part of his working group. Joining them here is legendary South African drummer Louis Moholo, best known for his work with fellow South African ex-pat Chris McGregor and the Brotherhood of Breath. The album starts with "Moving Lady," with its humble bass intro soon joined by clarinet and alto for a melancholy melody that is quickly swept away by Moholo's stuttering toms and crashing cymbals. "What Happens" is a more tentative dialog that finds its foundation in Hazevoet's enigmatic piano riffs -- tiny patterns that swirl around the other players before fading away, only to return with heavy chord clusters. It's a brooding style that serves the quartet well, and while there are remarkable solos here, it's the group interaction that makes Pleasure stand out. "All There," the 20-minute album closer, is centered on the spiraling interplay between Hazevoet on piano and Wanders on sax. Toward the end of the piece, Hazevoet switches to clarinet for a frantic mantra that drives Wanders' alto to higher heights before easing the proceedings back to a reverent earthbound finish. This is the second Hazevoet date to be reissued by Atavistic (the first was the excellent Unlawful Noise by Haazz & Company) and a third, Calling Down the Flevo Spirit with Han Bennink, is already planned. Hazevoet may not have the name recognition of his Dutch peers, largely due to his retirement from music just as the Netherlands scene was getting some of its due, but Pleasure's reappearance after such a lengthy stay in obscurity proves that you can't keep a good record down. Here's to more albums like Pleasure and players like Kees Hazevoet getting the attention they deserve.

_ Review by WADE KERGAN



Links in Comments!

17 comments:

  1. KEES HAZEVOET QUARTET – Pleasure (1970) Re-2004
    MP3@320+Artwork

    GameFront:
    http://www.gamefront.com/files/23935015

    DepositFiles:
    http://dfiles.eu/files/94bpt0c70

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  2. Hey Vitko, Moholo makes me want to check this out. Thanks for the listen. Hope you are well.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Steve,
      This is a really unusual and enchanting album, Kees Hazevoet is perhaps a little less well-known musician to the general public, but believe me this is a fantastic multi-instrumentalist. I have one of his recording (HAZZA & COMPANY - Unlawful Noise) with Peter & Han Bennink, Johnny Dyan, Louis Moho and Peter Brötzmann, he is a little more "free", so I wait for the right moment. Some musicians should introduce gradually and give you time for listening.
      Regards.

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    2. Seasons Greetings to you good Sir! Thanks again.

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    3. Oh yes! Unlawful Noise sounds intriguing! I will await its appearance with much anticipation!

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  3. Vitko, you are the best, no wonder about it.

    I would like to ask for a little help to anybody out ther who has an answer: I have never been able to download from "gamefront" since I always get a "This webpage is not found" message. It is not a big deal, I use to use the other link, but I would be happy to know if someone knows if it depends on my computer/os/browser or not; I use Win7 and Google Chrome browser.

    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Al,
      Do not be alarmed, it is not up to your computer, "gamefront" simply does not work in some countries, you are looks one of these lucky :).
      All the best.

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    2. Thank you for the info! Ok, now we know that Italy is not not in the friend list :)

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    3. Problem solved, using "Hola Better Internet"! You see, sometimes finding a cure is just a matter of knowing the cause.
      I hope this can be helpful for someone else.
      Thanks again, Al

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    4. Bravo! I think that nobody not remembered to solve the problem that way. Regards.

      Delete
  4. Thanks & love Vitko fo this great discovery that i was completely unaware of... And since i really love this, and i'm also deeply into Peter Brotzmann, i do really wooul loove to hear at least also Unlawful Noise by Haazz & Company.. Any chance to get this one also????? thanks again for your precious work of gem digging
    Lilith

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  5. Thanks for pointing out the mp3 Vitko, much appreciated!

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