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 : 

Pre-order the album from tomorrow December 1st on as a discount price, valid thru December 9th
newwaveofjazz.bandcamp.com/album/textural-studies

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.

With our label we’re returning to our favorite spot in London, HUNDRED YEARS GALLERY, for another two-day label festival. In 2019 we landed there for a fantastic gathering of kindred spirits and this year will not be any different, resembling the output of our label but simultaneously welcomes new members and exclusive constellations. Join us. All info here, tickets at door.

DAY ONE
downstairs:
7pm: HUNT AT THE BROOK trio
In 2014, Tom Jackson (clarinet), Benedict Taylor (viola) and Daniel Thompson (guitar) came together as a trio to record their debut in Stamford Brook with engineer Dave Hunt (hence Hunt at the Brook). Playing in the context of democratic free interaction, with accents and ideas reminiscent of Taylor and Jackson’s classic roots merging seamlessly with the free explorations of Thompson’s willful guitar playing.
Their new album (a double disc, including guest musician Neil Metcalfe) is out on A New Wave Of Jazz.

9pm: JOHN EDWARDS/ANDREW LISLE/ DIRK SERRIES/COLIN WEBSTER quartet
Dirk Serries (guitar), Colin Webster (alto saxophone), and Andrew Lisle (drums) are no strangers to each other having worked together prolifically for the last six years, most notably in Kodian Trio. In this quaret, the three are joined by one of the most pivotal
figures in improvised music – John Edwards (double bass).
Musically, the quartet play fully acoustic, and with Lisle playing a minimal percussion set-up. The stripped-back instrumentation allows for a focus on texture and timbre, but doesn’t prevent moments of ferociousness either, reminiscent of many albums from the formative ‘golden-era’ of improvised music, with the undeniable stamp of personality from these ‘modern- era’ musicians.

upstairs:
8pm: MARTINA VERHOEVEN & JOSÉ LENCASTRE duo
A New Wave Of Jazz welcomes Portugese saxophonist José Lencastre to the family. Officially released during this festival is the newly formed LEMADI TRIO’s TRYPTOPHAN SUITE is the trio’s debut, an extraordinary live registration of José Lencastre (alto sax), Dirk Serries (guitar) and Martina Verhoeven on the electric piano. For this festival Martina and José are playing duo. Although here Martina on the upright piano but expect free improvised music that will be reminiscent of the trio and at same time not. Exciting.

DAY TWO
downstairs:
4pm: TONUS
(Andrew Lisle, Benedict Taylor, Colin Webster, Dirk Serries, Graham Dunning, Dominic Lash, José Lencastre, Martina Verhoeven, Matthew Grigg, Tom Ward)
Dirk Serries’ minimal ensemble TONUS, frequently based upon his graphic scores, returns to HYG with an impressive and eccentric line-up, acoustic and electronic. Although the graphic scoring will guide the musicians gently, the strength of this ensemble is the focus and patience of each player to interact and contribute. Deep listening pur sang.

upstairs:
3pm: CHARLOTTE KEEFFE & ALAN WILKINSON duo
Oh yes, a powerhouse duo guaranteed. Both musicians have been frequently involved with the label so both Alan as Charlotte couldn’t be left out. To start the 2nd day of the festival with panache, we invited them to play duo upstairs. Full on free impro (saxophone, bass clarinet, trumpet and flugelhorn) up close and personal.