★Dropa Disc
Pangrams
"Pangrams" evokes a wide range of emotional moods, sketched in a chamber atmosphere. The four pieces stress the immediate and deep understanding of Di Domenico and Moberg.’ - Eyal Hareuveni
Grid Ravage
‘Grid Ravage’s debut album for Dropa Disc sounds organic, just like their live performances, with the music being born on the spot. The tight drumming of Louis Evrard (Ottla), the razor-sharp cello of Gino Coomans (Sheldon Siegel) and the permeating electronics of Yves De Mey naturally flow into each other. The result is a strikingly versatile and accessible record, on which the tension is built up in every track, until it’s not clear anymore who’s being followed around by whom. In this way, th…
M.A.N. – B.A.N.
* Edition of 300. Double lp in a gatefold sleeve is set to be released in a limited edition of 300 copies * Asked if they would be interested to perform at the Summer Bummer Festival in 2019 with reed player Peter Brötzmann, both bass player Farida Amadou and drummer Steve Noble replied with a quick and definite ‘yes’. The plans to join forces with this iconic player existed already and the Summer Bummer Festival would be ideal to meet on stage for the first time. To show the extreme musical div…
Food for Thought
**Edition of 200** Texts by Joshua Abrams, Paal Nilssen-Love, Jim Sauter, Mike Watt, Guy Peters, Mette Rasmussen, Dave Rempis, Bruce Ackley, Sandrine Verstraete, Laurens Smet, Ken Vandermark, Koen Vandenhoudt. The idea for this publication started with a request made by photographer, reviewer and overall music enthusiast Hans van der Linden to document the Oorstof series behind the scenes for a whole year. In addition to his unique photographic impressions, we asked graphic designer Marijke Looz…
Granular
**300 copies** While g a b b r o, Hanne De Backer’s baritone sax project, used a no frills duo concept for its debut album, things take a different turn on Granular. With Marc De Maeseneer again by her side, this album also involves fellow Belgian experimentalist Raphael Malfliet on electric bass, as well as singular vocalist Agnes Hvizdalek.Taken from studio recordings, as well as the quartet’s performance at 2018’s Summer Bummer Festival, Granular turns fragmentation and attention for detail, …
Dead Leaves Drop
**300 copies** The term ‘supergroup’ often comes with tacky connotations, but this is the real deal. Through hard work and a tirelessly inquisitive spirit, Nate Wooley, Dave Rempis, Pascal Niggenkemper and Chris Corsano have become some of the most versatile improvisers of their generation. As From Wolves To Whales, they turn their imposing collective strength into a relentless new whole. Relentless, not just because of the energy levels or the generous amount of freedom, but because of the cons…
Fred Van Hove At 80
Stunning! **300 copies** Pianist and composer Fred Van Hove (°1937) was involved in the Big Bang of European free improvisation (Machine Gun by the Peter Brötzmann Octet), but also became one of Europe’s finest and most underestimated improvisers. Mostly known for his 70’s trio with Brötzmann and Han Bennink, Van Hove’s trajectory over the past four decades has been one of the brilliant, but unsung stories of the music.The new Dropa Disc release Fred Van Hove At 80 is an effort to rectify this i…
Trommels!
**300 copies, 2019 stock** Percussionist Kris Vanderstraeten is one of the unsung heroes of Belgian free improvisation. Since the seventies, he has been experimenting with his unique set-up and different collaborations: the trio Sureau, a duo with Timo Van Luijk, several performances / recordings with young experimentalists.Trommels! is Vanderstraeten’s second solo album. It lures the listener into a universe without rules, a place where intuition and imagination decide what happens. Vanderstrae…
Los Bordes de Las Respuestas
**500 copies, hand-numbered, limited edition with 3 photo inserts** Combining the searching, raucous spirit of free improvisation, massive guitar textures and slowly shifting moods of the drone / doom-tradition the Saint Francis Duo proves there’s still a place for adventure and innovation in the world of improvised music.Four years after their debut recording as a duo, influential guitarist Stephen O’Malley (Sunn O))), KTL) and master percussionist Steve Noble (Rip, Rig & Panic, Brötzmann, Park…
PEN
**500 copies** It is always a treat to see some major musical innovators in action. Especially in a mind-blowing line-up, at the top of their game and unrecorded until now on this impressive new Dropa Disc release.Evan Parker might be a member of some legendary trios – one with von Schlippenbach and Paul Lovens and one with Barry Guy and Paul Lytton – still this brilliant master of the saxophone and pioneer of free music managed to surprise us big time when he introduced his trio with John Edwar…
Low Level Stink
When Ballister – the fearsome trio of Dave Rempis (saxophones), Fred Lonberg-Holm (cello) and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums) – performed in Antwerp in March of 2015, they played the kind of music you know some musicians are capable of, but rarely get to experience. It was a magnificent concert that grabbed you by the collar and took you for an adrenaline-fueled ride. There were some quieter moments when you could enjoy the view and take a breath, but the impression that lingered on was one of fearles…