In a time when musical genres are constantly in dialogue with one another, Standard - No Standard proves that the jazz tradition is not only alive but also constantly evolving. This album, the result of a powerful collaboration between guitarist Joost Zoeteman, bassist Bart Tarenskeen, and drummer Wim de Vries, showcases how three musicians masterfully strike a balance between reverence for jazz history and a fresh, contemporary approach.

It's a chance encounter between three personalities and their distinct universes that sparked the origin of this magical music. A meeting between jazz, world music and fusion. The prospect of the perfect world where listening and mutual respect lie at it's heart. Like an insidious and enchanting philter, Macondo's music tends to make you lose all sense of time and space.

I share my personal experiences with the ensemble using materials ranging from graphic scores and written melodies, to photos and stories.�These materials function as unfinished compositions and as such challenge us to creatively connect our own ideas and sounds to the music, over and over again. To deal with this freedom in a musical way, we developed strategies for collective improvisation during a two-year artistic research process focussed on the Dutch tradition of free improvisation from the 1960s. This combination of recollection and improvisation has resulted in a record that is playful and personal, yet has an evocative, nostalgic, and impressionist character.

It's a gift that has been handed to Jasper: the ability to choose a musical partner for a unique project where the sum of the parts far exceeds the normal mathematical result. The result is the epitome of synergy. These great live recordings are addictive. Not merely because of their lovely tones, thrilling turns, subtle waywardness and the restrained calm that pervades them. No, it is first and foremost the overall vibe that makes this release so special. You're literally transported to a sound world that breathes, where a liberating space prevails. Your sense of time wavers and you feel connected to the language of the players. Listening to them places you fully in the Now.

Flo� og Fjara is Gulli Gudmundsson's new project. The Icelandic bassist has been a cornerstone of the Dutch jazz scene for many years. His new trio has a chamber music-inspired setup. With pianist Jeroen van Vliet and trumpeter Koen Smits, he has found two musicians who share his pursuit of similar sound ideals.

The magic of art needs a frame, a somewhat solid container to hold the freedom that can only be found once we integrate some form of structure. And that also holds in every other area of life. We all need a frame, a structure, a rhythm, or else, we fall apart. This human form needs the body, and yet it transcends the limitations of the body - through art.

With a unique and unmistakable approach to music and his instrument,�Julien Tassin�is a one-of-a-kind guitar player. Using non-traditional techniques and original tunings, he creates music that combines elements of blues, jazz, classical, Oriental and African music. The result is music born out of openness and freedom. Stubbornly he repeats musical ideas until the tension reaches a boiling point, the lyricism of his melodies becomes inevitable, and the rawness of the sound takes center stage.

Three main elements thread through the compositions and arrangements of this collection. Firstly, the presence of irregular time signatures.�Secondly, I am captivated by the magic that happens when a melody is accompanied by words: lyrics seem to emancipate a melody from the composer's original intent; what has been a tune becomes a song.�And thirdly, I am fascinated with textures, with the changing colours of intertwining wind instruments.

Jazz trio with�Bram de Looze on Piano,�Sylvain Debaisieux on Saxophone and�Samuel Ber on Drums. What do we like in music? Flow, playfulness, melody, mystery, rhythm, imaginary spaces, counterpoint, the act of folding and unfolding sounds and ideas, fun, dance, trust, patience, multidimensional time and structures, calling on the subconscious

The Song That Sings You Here

The Kaiju Project is a Japanese inspired jazz group formed by the half Japanese-Austrian pianist Aseo Friesacher. Their initial idea was to bring old folk songs into a new modern context, but in addition to their compositions, this group has found their very own musical direction: a perfect blend of traditional Japanese music and meditative-creative jazz.

Now focusing on original compositions (along with some Indian chants and a piece by Claude Debussy), this album also distinguishes itself from the previous two albums by presenting a new sonic landscape.� Blending the rich timbres and textures of both the acoustic and electric sonic worlds of the musicians, we were looking to get a strong, direct, full sound that still retains enough detail and acoustic warmth.

Now focusing on original compositions (along with some Indian chants and a piece by Claude Debussy), this album also distinguishes itself from the previous two albums by presenting a new sonic landscape.� Blending the rich timbres and textures of both the acoustic and electric sonic worlds of the musicians, we were looking to get a strong, direct, full sound that still retains enough detail and acoustic warmth.

ARTVARK SAXOPHONE QUARTET: Truffles

Stephane Gallande: A few years ago, the musicians in this band and I began a specific practice on unusual mixes of rhythmic ideas, inspired by traditions from various parts of the world, with the intention of integrating them until they became a personal vocabulary and means of expression. The result is on this album.