Their DEFIANT ILLUSION album just received a short but very nice review on the MOORS MAGAZINE from the Netherlands. The album remains available here.

“Bassist Gonçalo Almeida kennen we al van diverse projecten, want deze Portugese free jazz-avonturier gaat het avontuur graag aan, dus elke keer als ik zijn naam zie staan ga ik er even voor zitten, want dan staat er iets bijzonders te gebeuren Defiant Illusion laat zijn samenwerking horen met wat onverwachte partners op het muzikale avonturenpad. Violist Maria do Mar speelt al jaren in de Portugese avantgarde-scene, en dat zij en Almeida een klik hebben vind ik niet zo verwonderlijk. Verrassender is Carla Santana, die akoestische geluiden en elektronica op een verbluffende manier weet te mengen, terwijl José Lencastre met zijn saxofoons op een subtiele manier kleur brengt in de toch al subtiele muziek die hier gecreëerd wordt . De vier musici maken het zichzelf, elkaar en de luisteraar niet gemakkelijk, maar als je er op je gemak voor gaat zitten, koptelefoon op, ogen dicht, en je laat de muziek het even helemaal overnemen, zul je ontdekken dat alles hier klopt, tot in de kleinste details. Improvisatie met soms ruwe randjes, maar ook harmonieuze, ingetogen, bijna verstilde delen. Laat je door dit viertal mee op reis nemen door onbekend muzikaal terrein en geniet! Want deze muziek is veel toegankelijker dan je op het eerste gehoor misschien zou kunnen denken.” Moors Magazine – The Netherlands

The next event in our series, with the help of PlusEtage, is the duo gathering of guitar experimentalist MATTHEW GRIGG (a fascinating guitarist from Bristol, UK, founder of the interesting Unknown Tongue label and organizer of a very successful concert series) and percussionist FRISO VAN WIJCK.
This concert takes place at the aula of the Cultural Center Baarle-Hertog/Nassau (where the original venue of PlusEtage is situated). All info and tickets here.

Veteran critic ROBERTO MANDOLINI wrote a nice review on the newest release of GARUDA TRIO + RODRIGO PINHEIRO. The review of their TONGUES OF FLAMES got published on the Italian ONDAROCK website. Get your copy here.

“Il sassofonista Hugo Costa torna a pubblicare sulla belga A New Wave of Jazz in compagnia dei connazionali Hernâni Faustino (contrabbasso), João Valinho (batteria) e Rodrigo Pinheiro (pianoforte), stella luminosa dell’imperdibile scena free jazz portoghese. Le tre improvvisazioni di “Tongues Of Flames” sono state registrate durante il mese di luglio del 2022 a Lisbona (Namouche studios) e pubblicate ad inizio 2024 su CD dall’etichetta di Dirk Serries (nella solita edizione di 200 copie con copertina disegnata da Rutger Zuydervelt). I diciotto minuti della prima traccia in scaletta, “Raw”, esprimono l’essenza del suono liquido e allo stesso tempo dinamitardo del quartetto: il contrabbasso disegna lentamente un groove lunare e per quasi sei minuti sassofono, pianoforte e batteria cesellano morbide note in assonanza con i timbri del cordofono; quindi un’accelerazione costante porta le voci degli strumenti in primo piano per dar vita alla lunga coda che prende fuoco come i blues siderali di David Murray. La magia si ripete nella più breve, omonima, “Tongues Of Flames”, dove Costa e Pinheiro si alternano in due assolo in cui dimostrano di aver raggiunto una sintonia tutta da ascoltare, muovendosi tra volumi e spazi multidimensionali. Ancora accenti blues aprono i quindici minuti di “If We Dance”, dove il dialogo tra i quattro musicisti diventa talmente fluido da apparire nel trascinante finale come una sola voce. “

Eyal Hareuveni of SALT PEANUTS just reviewed DEFIANT ILLUSION, a lovely new album on our label by Carla Santana/José Lencastre/Maria do Mar/Gonçalo Almeida. Available through our bandcamp.

Defiant Illusion presents an ad-hoc, free improvising Portuguese quartet of electronics player Carla Santana, sax hero Josè Lencastre (on alto and tenor), violinist Maria do Mar and Almeida, recorded at Toolate Studio in Abóboda in October 2022. The atmosphere of this intriguing quartet, with its unique instrumentation, is reserved and patient, nuanced and chamber in spirit, despite the subtle, semi-industrialist and throbbing electronic sounds. The four musicians manage to balance and integrate their distinct voices into enigmatic, conversational dynamics while building a stimulating tension. This kind of dynamics stress deep listening and leaves enough space for individual solos and introspection. The aptly titled, 13-minute centerpiece “The Way of Zen” captures best the mysterious, contemplative and intimate aesthetics of Defiant Illusion.

BENEDICT TAYLOR and DIRK SERRIES’ two-day residency at the magnificent HUNDRED YEARS GALLERY was truly a mesmerizing experience. Celebrating their 2nd duo album OBSIDIAN, released on the Creative Sources label, Benedict and Dirk gathered an amazing line-up of UK improvisers. Routed strongly in the legacy of the international impro scene, and unfortunately frequently fully underrated abroad, these 2 days proved again how relevant, essential, and strong these musicians are. And it’s time to pay respect and so did we with having them on board for 4 sets, spread over these 2 days. Joined us were JOHN BUTCHER (saxophones), JOHN EDWARDS (double bass), CHARLOTTE KEEFFE (trumpet), and BLANCA REGINA (voice, objects) on Saturday and on Sunday we welcomed MAGGIE NICOLS (voice), SYLVIA HALLETT (violin, electronics, saw), STEVE BERESFORD (piano, melodica), MARK WASTELL (percussion) and COLIN WEBSTER (alto sax). Benedict and Dirk express their gratitude to all contributing musicians for their enthusiasm and absolutely stunning musical contributions. To Graham and Montse at Hundred Years Gallery for the warm hospitality and for believing in this without any reservation and to the audience for supporting this free-form music genre. Thanks to you all we keep continuing…