EUROPEAN UNION QUARTET
The Dark Peak
AOP 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.


JazzFlits no. 169                                19 December 2011