Belgium’s JAZZ & MO jazz magazine just published a brief (slightly inaccurate) review of our LIVE AT PLUS-ETAGE release but still grateful for the exposure. This fantastic collection of live performances is available through our bandcamp store.
“PlusEtage is een kleine venue in Baarle-Nassau, Nederland, binnen een multifunctioneel gebouw, waar vrijwilligers en musici de cultuur van de vrije improvisatie sterk houden. Zoals de titel zegt, is dit het eerste volume op drie cd’s van een reeks concert-captaties. Interessante concerten met diversiteit, die de werking van de Plus-Etage schetsen. Een mooie collectie voor de liefhebbers en benieuwden” Jazz & Mo – Belgium
Reviews of COLIN WEBSTER’s outstanding new solo album are slowly arriving, here’s a really fine one on VITAL WEEKLY. Order here.
“There are exceptions, but the saxophone isn’t my favourite instrument. Often, it becomes a nerve-wracking jazz wail, and that’s not for me. As said, there are exceptions. An early one is the split cassette by Eyeless In Gaza and Lol Coxhill; I like Borbetomagus. This new album by Colin Webster is another one that I enjoy. He plays the alto saxophone in the chapel of the Oude Klooster in Brecht, Belgium, with a wooden ceiling, and Dirk Serries captured the sound using various microphones. The title of the album is program here, studies in textures. There are twelve short pieces of saxophone music, each on a more sustaining note, but not exclusively. Webster offers a texture rather than a drone rather than a succession of quick notes. A texture aiming not always to please, as Webster uses considerable force here. That’s another thing I like about this record; there is some pretty intense noise music here, a brutalist approach, and that’s something I enjoy. And, of course, acoustic noise is not something you hear every day. Webster combines this acoustic noise with an unmistakable minimal touch. Many pieces are about circular breathing, repeating phrases all the time. Here, this album shines most for someone who is only mildly interested in improvised music but whose heart goes to minimal music. The recording is crisp and clear; those saxophone sounds bouncing around in this hall add weight to the recording. It might not be your typical improvised music record, which is, perhaps, a disappointment for some, but for me, a delight. A particularly strong record.”
On December 9th we officially released the magnificent new solo album of COLIN WEBSTER. TEXTURAL STUDIES was recorded at the Oude Klooster chapel in Brecht (Belgium), the village where the label headquarters are located. The album on limited 140 gram vinyl is available here.
JAZZ EN ZO just reviewed his album and it’s lovely !! Thanks to Georges Tonla-Briquet.
“Een nieuwe soloplaat van de Britse saxofonist Colin Webster onder een gepaste titel. ‘Textural Studies’ is inderdaad een oefening in het experimenteren met mogelijke en vooral de meest bevreemdende klanken van de altsaxofoon.
Een oerkreet op de saxofoon als aankondiging van wat gedurende iets meer dan een half uur zal volgen. Colin Webster laat geen twijfel bestaan. Hij kreeg op 9 februari 2023 carte blanche in de opnamelocatie Oude Klooster in Brecht en gebruikte die optimaal. Wie zijn werk kent op het label en ook daarnaast, spitst de oren en zet zich schrap.
Niet dat Webster van begin tot einde de luisteraar confronteert met een verstikkende decibelstorm. Het wiegende ‘A.II’ is gebaseerd op een organische loop getekend door rituele zeggingskracht. ‘A.III’ is zijn moment om een percussieve passage in te lassen. Het blijft Webster natuurlijk, de muzikant die houdt van contrasten. Dat betekent stil versus luid, hoog (‘B.II’) tegenover laag (‘B.I’) of nog kortstondige uithalen (‘A.IV’) in juxtapositie met adembenemende lange lijnen (‘A.V’, ‘B.VI’).
De nodige experimenten en expliciete (adem)technieken ontbreken evenmin (‘A.VI’). Bij dit alles hanteert hij zijn persoonlijke stilistische normen en zet zich toch wel duidelijk af tegen geldende conventies. Een zoektocht naar de mogelijke en vooral ook onmogelijke tessituur van zijn instrument.
Ter verduidelijking: de saxofonist vermijdt titels en verkiest een logische nummering verdeeld over beide plaatkanten. Een ontluisterend hoorspel annex academisch kantje en helemaal geschikt voor de aficionados. “
We, at the headquarters of A NEW WAVE OF JAZZ, are extremely proud and happy to release this new solo (and absolutely beautiful) album of COLIN WEBSTER, recorded at the Oud Klooster kapel in Brecht (Belgium).
British saxophonist Colin Webster has always had a mono-thematic approach when it comes to making solo albums. From ‘Antennae’ (Gaffer Records, 2013) which dealt purely with micro-sounds and minimal dynamics, to ‘vs. Amp’ (Raw Tonk Records, 2021) which focussed on the sonic capabilities of a baritone saxophone played through a guitar amplifier. Textural Studies – as the title suggests – is no different in approach. Each piece is a deep exploration and thorough interrogation of a single sound, note, tone, technique, or texture played on the alto saxophone. The chosen sound is repeated for the duration of the piece without development or deviation. It simply exists to fulfill its own purpose, and nothing more. The material on Textural Studies could be seen as quite clinical or academic. There is also a human aspect. As each piece progresses, and physical limits are pushed, very slight evolutions and discrepancies appear, which draws the listener deeper into the exploration. The album was recorded in one afternoon at the Oude Klooster chapel in Brecht, Belgium. With high wooden ceilings, the natural reverb of the venue acts as a companion to each piece, exposing more and more textural detail. The session was expertly captured and mixed by Dirk Serries, balancing all of the elements of the album.
Limited to 100 copies on 140 gram black vinyl. Watch the youtube teaser from December 1st on :
This Friday, December 1st, we’ll launch the pre-order for the next installment in our vinyl series. This time it’s the great COLIN WEBSTER with a new solo album to grace our label. Recorded at the Oude Klooster Chapel in Brecht (Belgium), TEXTURAL STUDIES is a collection of abstract, minimal, repetitive, and introspective pieces Colin performed on the alto sax in relationship to the unique acoustics of the chapel. To be released on 140-gram black vinyl and limited to 100 copies with liner notes by Guy Peters and the design by Rutger Zuydervelt. The links will come online this Friday.
A New Wave Of Jazz 
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