WILLEM BREUKER KOLLEKTIEF – Driebergen - Zeist (LP-1983)

Label: BV Haast Records – BVHAAST 050

Format: Vinyl, LP / Country: Netherlands / Released: 1983

Style: Contemporary Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded at Sound Push Studio's, Blaricum the Netherlands, Sept. 12th./13th. 1983.

All arrangements by Willem Breuker

Cover design / Photos by – Reinko Kuiper

Mixed September 15th 1983

Engineer by – Jan Schumman

A1 - Wolkbreuk III ............................................................................ 5:54

A2 - No Wave Samba ...................................................................... 6:06

A3 - Benares. (From Mahagonny) ................................................... 3:50

        Composed By – Kurt Weill

A4 - What? ....................................................................................... 4:59

A5 - Lied Van De Zware Toffe Jongens /

        Pirate Jenny (From Three Penny Opera) ................................. 2:24

        Composed By – Kurt Weill, Vocals – Dick Swidde

B1 - Driebergen – Zeist .................................................................... 9:56

B2 - Dance Of The Knights (From Romeo And Juliet) ..................... 3:55

        Composed By – Serge Prokofiev

B3 - Creole Call Love ....................................................................... 6:30

        Clarinet – Michiel de Ruyter, Composed By – Duke Ellington

Willem Breuker – saxophone, clarinet

André Goudbeek – clarinet, saxophone

Maarten van Norden – saxophone, clarinet

Bernard Hunnekink – trombone

Garrett List – trombone

Andy Altenfelder – trumpet

Boy Raaymakers – trumpet

Henk de Jonge – piano, synthesizer

Arjen Gorter – double bass

Robbie Verdurmen – drums, percussion

 Willem Breuker / Maarten van Norden

 Arjen Gorter / Robbie Verdurmen

Boy Raaymakers / Bernard Hunnekink

Driebergen-Zeist is one of two or three albums released by Breuker's Kollektief in the early- to mid-'80s that represent this band at the absolute peak of its considerable powers. At this point, all the energy that had been a central part of the group since its inception in 1974 combined seamlessly with Breuker's elaborate and complex compositional skills to produce music unlike anyone else's at that time or since. It was a music both experimental and surprisingly accessible, connecting disparate points between 20th century classical music, street songs, and avant-garde jazz, all soldered firmly together by Breuker's devilish sense of humor. Much of the album is given over to covers, all of them performed superbly. Breuker's long-time affinity for Kurt Weill is made clear both in the version of "Benares" (from Mahagonny) and, utterly wonderfully, in his "Pirate Jenny," featuring vocals and new lyrics by the gruff, elderly Dutch actor/singer Dick Swidde, who growls and sputters his way through hilariously. There's also a lovely and straight reading of Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights (from Romeo and Juliet) and a creamy, adoring rendition of Ellington's "Creole Love Call" with guest clarinetist Michiel de Ruyter. Many a "traditional" jazz band could take a lesson from this heartfelt performance. Breuker's own cleverly titled composition "What?" comes about as close as possible to duplicating "Take the 'A' Train" without ever quite getting there -- a bravura demonstration indeed. But the real highlight of this LP is the title piece. Ten minutes long and apparently through-composed, "Driebergen-Zeist" sounds like some otherworldly melding of Ellington, Gershwin, and Carl Stalling as themes collide, disappear, and arise from nowhere, each more gorgeous than the last, and are undermined by false starts, fake endings, and composed "mistakes" (the latter including a delightful section where drummer Rob Verdurmen makes several "wrong" entrances). It's an astonishing work and illustrative of what this ensemble was capable of at its best.

Very highly recommended.

If you find it, buy this album!

WILLEM BREUKER KOLLEKTIEF – In Holland (2LP-1981)

Label: BV Haast Records – BVHAAST 041/042
Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album; Country: Netherlands - Released: 1981
Style: Free Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded at M.C.R. Studio Amersfoort, Holland, April 21th, 22th and May 6th 1981

Composed By – Henk de Jonge (tracks: C2), Unico Wilhelm graaf van Wassenaer (tracks: D1a-d), Willem Breuker (tracks: A1 to B5, D2), Willem van Manen (tracks: C1)
Cover Draving By – Ariane Gscheidle

Simply put, this is the finest album ever released by the Willem Breuker Kollektief as a jazz tentet (as opposed to the repertory ensemble they later became). In Holland contains the most creative orchestrations, and the most thrilling solo work by the Kollektief, and ranks among the best jazz albums of the '80s. Two of the songs here ("Tango Superior/Interruptie" and "To Be With Louis P.") were released on the compilation disk The Parrot, but the remainder were only available on vinyl as of 2001. 

The first record of this two-LP set is essentially designed as a suite, beginning with a powerful overture, and continuing on through an uproarious tango featuring a comically frustrated Breuker on alto, a drunkenly careening showcase for the brilliant trumpeter Boy Raaymakers, a loving homage to Prokofiev, and a fleeting reference to Wagner. Altoist Bob Driessen soloing never sounded better, and the driving bass work of the invaluable Arjen Gorter causes one's jaw to drop. Next comes "To Be With Louis P.," a surging R&B number with Breuker in the hilarious role of sleazy lounge singer who nonetheless matches Maarten van Norden's wondrous tenor sax shouting note for note. 

The second LP consists of four compositions, including a concertino by an obscure 17th century Swiss composer, and a ferocious reel called "Hopsa, Hopsa" that builds up, morphs, and goes bananas. It's an album highlight, featuring a breathtaking performance by WBK, and composed by the newcomer (who'd stick around) pianist Henk de Jonge. Also included is one of Breuker's most beautiful and moving compositions, "Marche Funèbre" (from his musical production De Vuyle Wasch, or 'Dirty Laundry'), whose themes are at once rich, somber, romantic, and inspired. Though the group lost quite a bit of freshness after the mid-'80s, In Holland qualifies as an extraordinary record by one of the most creative and enjoyable jazz ensembles to have emerged from Europe.

_ Review by BRIAN OLEWNICK



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