The Dark Peak – Press Reviews

Posted by Gav in Featured, News

EUROPEAN UNION QUARTET
The Dark Peak
OAP Records

Personnel:
Iman Spaargaren (ts, ss, bcl)
Ulrich Elbracht (g)
Gavin Barras (b)
Marek Dorcik (d).

Musicians making music because that music is what matters. That could be the description of the European Union Quartet and also a hallmark of their music. This may seem like an utterly redundant and useless characterization, but listening to ‘The Dark Peak’ this is what immediately strikes me. Music made with care. Compositions that sound elegant, refined and inspired. And the ensemble playing of this quartet is balanced and equal. ‘The Dark Peak’ is a jewel, because it is a very musical record. One in which you can hear that love of music. And one with a strong narrative element. Each composition has that narrative aspect in which especially development shines through. This is a strong point of this quartet, the progression in the compositions whereby the solos don’t become isolated from the whole but, on the contrary, strengthen that whole. This is what gives the songs that strong evolving effect and that narrative quality. Nine very atmospheric own compositions of Spaargaren, Elbracht and Barras, almost reminding one of chamber music, make ‘The Dark Peak’ a very special cd. And a recording that, as we have come to expect from this label, sounds very bright and warm. A big compliment for this European quartet!

Frank Huser

Listen to tracks from this album: http://bit.ly/r43YuG.

European Union Quartet – The Dark Peak
CD-REVIEW

European Union Quartet – The Dark Peak
line up: Iman Spaargaren soprano- and tenorsaxophone and bassclarinet; Ulrich Elbracht guitar; Gavin Barras double bass; Marek Dorcik drums
record date: february 2011 at Wedgeview Studio
release: 2011
label: OAP Records
tracks: 9
time: 50.59
website: www.jazzquartet.eu - www.oaprecords.com
review by: Rinus van der Heijden

A saxophone player who sounds like John Coltrane. “Oh boy, here we go again”, you think. After all, how often has this icon of modern jazz been approximated or copied already? Countless times by now, and almost always with miserable results.
When you put on this cd from the European Union Quartet, the feeling described above immediately encroaches upon you. But although Iman Spaargaren wanders around in Coltrane’s musical kitchen, he manages to find the right spices to lift the music of the European Union Quartet above that of the average copycat. That is because he, though operating within Coltrane’s saxophone sound, adds new dimensions through the slightly hidden, philosophical meanings of all nine pieces.

In that same first piece you already hear how Spaargaren approaches the sometimes melancholic tone of John Coltrane. Shortly aspirated phrases create a build-up towards a climax, just like Trane used to do. But just a bit further ahead the Dutch saxophone player reaches a side-road, which he turns into with great fervour and where Ulrich Elbracht’s guitar is waiting for him. For a large part, the two of them determine the substance and power of this eminently enjoyable cd. Spaargaren’s exploits on the bass clarinet are also of a high level.

The European Union Quartet – so named because it consists of a Dutch, German, Slovakian and British jazz musician – mostly reaches for atmospheres laid out by the melodic themes of the pieces. Four pieces were written by Iman Spaargaren, three by Ulricht Elbracht, and two by Gavin Barras. All four players strive for detail, but combine it with a more broad-minded approach; intense ensemble playing, but also room for individual ideas. And above all, the four members create ample space for each other to showcase their individual skills.