De Kift – “Yverzucht” – [Mississippi Records]

This is info from the publisher: “De Kift emerged from a Dutch squatters’ movement and the punk waves of the late ’70s and early ’80s. Their debut vinyl LP Yverzucht was released in 1989. Ferry: guitar & brass (Svatsox); Wim: drums (Rondos, the Ex); Jacco (GRRR): bass; Maarten: vocals (Pistache B.V.). De Kift were a tremendous and original force at the time. Sparse, rhythmic, angular, yet energetic music. Staccato punk with fanfare elements. Maarten’s lyrics were recited, spat out and crooned, bleak reflective explorations of the Dutch mental state of the times. Maarten (as well as Jacco) departed the band after debuting Yverzucht. Out of the ashes, emerged a new conceptual, literary De Kift that would play on for 20 years. De Kift were part of the squatter movement. Playing benefits, raising funds, eyebrows and soundtracking a lifestyle on its last legs.”
Since this release the band has grown, added a brass section and is producing some amazing video tracks. http://www.myspace.com/dekift and http://www.dekift.nl/ for more updates

Douglas, Dave & Brass Ecstacy – “Spirit Moves” – [Greenleaf Music]

Dave Douglas has put together an all-star group that picks up the torch from the late Lester Bowie (and his Brass Fantasy) – with a slightly smaller ensemble. He and his very skilled musicians have mixed original compositions and 3 arrangements of jazz, funk and even a C&W song into a very moving, complex, beautiful, adventurous, sometimes humorous performance. Totally enjoyable and very ???live??? as they move through a wide range of musical styles – from pre-jazz to post-funk!

Marcus Rojas on tuba, has played in dozens of modern jazz groups (Plunge, Spanish Fly, Kamakazi Ground Crew are just a few.) Vincent Chancey on French Horn also played with Lester Bowie and Sun Ra, and leads his own group. Luis Bonilla on Trombone has long experience in Latin Jazz, leading several bands to Grammy winning recordings and Nasheet Waits (son of Fredide Waits, mentored by Max Roach) has drummed with a wide range of other musicians, starting with M???BOOM. Dave Douglas on trumpet also has a long list of credits as performer and arranger (and now publisher.) – Dave RIchoux