The Ex, Han Bennink

Instant is the record on which The Ex put the songs aside. Recorded in bits between late April and early June 1995 at the Koeienverhuurbedrijf in Amsterdam and produced by Dolf Planteijdt, it collects thirty-two short pieces, almost without vocals, made by the band with a set of guests from the Dutch improvised music scene: Han Bennink and Michael Vatcher on drums, Ab Baars on saxophones and clarinet, Wolter Wierbos on trombone, Tristan Honsinger on cello.

Terrie on guitar, Luc on bass, Andy on guitar and viola, Katrin on drums, Han Buhrs on harmonica, guitar and toffee-tin bass and G.W. Sok on various things move through organ, accordion, samples and tape, djembé springs, mbira, reed shakers, musical saw and chairs, in duos and small groupings that change from one miniature to the next. First issued as a double CD in 1995, it is here on vinyl for the first time.

Reviews at the time: "Two CDs worth of short, terrific small-ensemble improvisations. Lots of pleasant little surprises." "Practically without vocals The Ex travel through a dreamworld in which surprises surprise each other, and where new and thus far hidden worlds lay themselves open." "32 miniatures. Some are frankly fascinating, others by all means amazing. But it never gets dull or smooth."

Double LP, first vinyl edition (Ex Records EX 063/064).