Flow: Review on http://www.draaiomjeoren.nl/

Iman Spaargaren Quartet & Septet - 'Flow' (independent label, 2011)

Despite the fact that Iman Spaargaren has recorded several records with groups such as Captain Hook, Thelonious4, European Union Quartet and New Generation Big Band, he remained a slightly underrated and little known saxophonist in the Dutch jazzscene. His debut album 'Flow' will make a change.

The fresh jazzgroups Iman Spaargaren Quartet and Iman Spaargaren Septet deliver a melodically and harmonically promising modern jazz album with originals and fine arrangements. Iman's compositions stand for very melodical, light-footed musical lines. An open sound has been accomplished by neat arrangements and sparse modest accompaniment of the two guitar players, Marzio Scholten in the quartet and Santeri Sulkunen in the septet. This is no hardblowing session.

It goes without saying that Spaargaren takes the biggest part of solo space for himself and he does that with great skill. His soloing is modest and beautifully frased on the chord changes. The most dynamic tune of the record is 'Flow' with the quartet. The saxophonist speaks out solistically. His tone is edgy, his improvisation withdraws somewhat of the chord sequence and he let's his emotions run free. The very intense and melodical ballad 'The Mauve Sky' is another pinnacle of this record.

The solistic contributions of o.a. Scholten, flute player Mark Alban Lotz and trompet player Gerard Kleijn are worth mentioning too and make this album transcent mediocracy.

Like to hear more?
On iman Spaargaren's Myspace-page you can listen to 4 tunes of the album: 'Flow', 'House By The Lake', 'Wake Up Call' and 'Neil York'.

Here's the whole review in Dutch on Draai om je Oren.