Piet Verbist & Zygomatik - Cattitude - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

With an energized mix of jazz, soul, rock & funk, Antwerp, Belgian bassist Piet Verbist's Zygomatic takes the classic, mostly acoustic jazz quartet instrumentation to new places on the band's debut recording. The core trio of Verbist, drummer Herman Pardon, and Bram Weijters on Fender Rhodes, is joined by three saxophonists - Matt Renzi and Fred Delplancq on tenor, Vincent Brijs on baritone - as they slip and slide through a set of eight joyous originals. A staple on the European jazz circuit for many years, Verbist's deep sense of groove, time, and harmonic interest have made him a favorite of touring international artists and the many Belgian groups he's toured the world with over the last 20 years.

For Cantar de Amor, Fahmi Alqhai and Accademia del Piacere are joined by tenor and fellow Andalusian Juan Sancho for a new survey of 17th c. Spanish dramatic songs depicting the trials of love.Juan Hidalgo, the foremost musical figure of the time who, working with Pedro Calderón de la Barcain, produced a wide variety of musical theatre works, composed many of the tonos on this new Glossa .Sancho and Accademia del Piacere have been able to gather together an excellent array of surviving canciones expressing the vibrancy and character of the torments of love in the Spanish theatrical manner.

The bassist has a real talent for creating modern works that balance expertly between new and old-school forms of expression... deeply melodic forays and from-the-heart blues occupy the same space, unconflicted. - Bird is the Worm. Antwerp bassist, Piet Verbist, has been a central figure in the Belgian jazz scene for decades. With his 5th album on Origin, Verbist turns to the guitar trio and rekindles his long-time connection with guitarist Hendrik Braeckman, a regular with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra and a fellow force in modern jazz circles. Along with the creative interplay from drummer Lionel Beuvens, the trio unravels an intimate set of originals - along with Charlie Parker's InchCheryl,Inch and Monk's InchPannonicaInch - building broad atmospheres of color, groove and mood. InchVerbist's compositions... give compelling testimony to the ways musical friendships can last a lifetime-and how serendipity, inspiration, and a deep dedication to the music can create a spark when friends' paths do eventually cross.Inch - DOWNBEAT