*Limited edition of 500 copies.* A group here that features some key members from the American avant scene, but whose standout member might well be pianist Oscar Jan Hoogland – who contributed two originals to the set, and whose work on the keys seems to really direct the energy of this session that features fresh interpretations of tunes by Herbie Nichols and Thelonious Monk! The setting is quite a different one for saxophonist Keefe Jackson, but he's superb throughout – blowing tenor and sopranino sax at a level that has all the angular tones and inventive spirit that players like Steve Lacy or Charlie Rouse brought to their work in the Monk generation – but with all the freer qualities that live up to Keefe's legacy too! The rest of the group is great too – Joshua Abrams reminding us what a swinging bassist he can be, and Mikel Patrick Avery on drums – really punctuating the tunes nicely, on selections that include "Bemsha Swing", "The Happenings", "Epistrophy", and "Gotta Get Some Sleep" – plus Hoogland originals "Wimpel" and "Aanhanguis"
- Dustygroove.com
Keefe Jackson - Tenor and Sopranino Saxophone
Oscar Jan Hoogland - Piano
Joshua Abrams - Double Bass
Mikel Patrick Avery - Drums
Epistrophy & Bemsha Swing written by Thelonious Monk
Gotta Get Some Sleep written by Dewey Redman
The Happenings written by Herbie Nichols
Wimpel & Aanhanghuis written by Oscar Jan Hoogland
Arrangements on Gotta Get Some Sleep, The Happenings & Bemsha Swing by Oscar Jan Hoogland
Recorded at Bimhuis Amsterdam on April 29, 2016 by Mark Nieuwenhuis and Marc Shots
Mixing by Mark Nieuwenhuis
Mastering by Mikey Young
Cover photo by Arie Kievit
Layout by Nick LaRoche
Produced by Astral Spirits & De Platenbakkerij