Search - Michiel Borstlap :: Coffee & Jazz

So, what can you do with a piano?

virgilio venditti | Italy, Avezzano (AQ) | 12/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Coffee and jazz" is quite a departure from the naked portrait depicted in the raw, wild and breath-taking triple CD "Gramercy park". There's not much in common also with his "Body Acoustic": on that one he tried to give new meaning to the Weather Report compositions with excellent results. Here he is a bit more relaxed, laid back (maybe when you are 40 you just start considering things under a different light and what is left for you, after all the efforts, is just... coffee and jazz!!) yet he is full of fundamental energy and freshness. Reference here is for the most part the more classic Jarrett with a hint of Herbie Nichols, Herbie Hancock, Monty Alexander and a bit of "samba feel" hidden everywhere (maybe I ate some heavy stuff yesterday?). Do not get me wrong: just trying to find a reference for you! Michiel is extremely personal and characterised to give a "Modern Mainstream-meets Oscar Peterson" feel to his version of "Autumn Leaves", just for one. Extremely tasteful, classic yet fresh jazz with a lot of soul, swing. His bassplayer and drummer Stefan Lievestro and Pascal Vermeer "take no prisoner" either. Everything safe here? Not at all: wait until you go to the hidden track!!!! Dig this beautiful CD!!!

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