Modal Soul - Rein de Graaff - Dick Vennik

 

Modal Soul

Modal Soul

Rein de Graaff - Dick Vennik Quartet

Produced by Rein de Graaff and Dick Vennik

Recorded at Fendal Sound Studio - Loenen can de Vecht, Holland - November 14, 1977

Artwork and Design: HPC Printing, Arnhem, Holland

Cover Photographs: Koos Serierse

Muse Records TI 305

1979

From the back cover: "Modal Soul" is the somewhat misleading title of the latest album by the Rein de Graaff-Dick Vennik Quartet. Misleading in a way, since, statistically spoken, a modal soul should depict the deep strings typical of a significant majority.

This type of modal man's soul, as we all have learned the hard way, scarcely is adaptable to the more rewarding brands of contemporary music. On the contrary, finding happiness in jazz seems to be almost exclusively reserved for minorities-albeit a loud one. But in this case the albums' title has a different meaning soulful music played in a way in which the musicians improvise on modal scales instead of chord changes.

The group's somewhat unwieldy name has nevertheless become synonymous with good, adventurous and hard-driving modern music. As this is their fourth record as leader's Rein's and Dick's careers have been covered in detail: Working together since 1964 both never stopped growing in musical stature ever since. Rein's a real beaut at the keyboard, atypical exponent of the restless red celtic subvariant, predominantly preoccupied with purely musical aims. A definitive sample of his piano wizardry is available in the recent trio recording Drifting On A Reed (Timeless SJP-105) which also features drummer Leroy Williams. Dick, who graduated a flute major at the Amsterdam Conservatory of Music while already acquiring fame as one of the hardest saxophone drivers around, now has added the soprano to his armor.

He is an exciting soloist, capable of delicate lyricism up to and including a blistering drive, that seems to test the melting point of the horn's alloy and consequently, change it into a soft-art attribute. Eric Ineke, also a charter member of the organization, has rapidly become one of the most sought-after drummers in Europe. Ambidextrous as hell wand with ears to match, roving Americans and other aliens, local groups and studio people have come to regard him as an essential ingredient of their concoctions. Koos Serierse is the only newcomer in the group. Born 4/12/36, his first axe was the camera, but blowing the bass filled soon proved more satisfactory, a fact appreciated in due course by fellow-musicians. He is leading a busy life as a radio and TV staff musician and in between manages to play regularly with the quartet.

The Music speaks its own language, of course. The following reflections are just intended for liner note readers itching to find fault with the annotator's ramblings.

Rien's own latin piece "Sweet Basil", fills the first grooves. Named after the NYC club where the composer spent a few of his moments supreme, it soon flares to a heated romp. A benign Coltrane soars after Rein's breathtaking roaming in the realm of pianists E.S.P. Koo's bass brings it home while Eric demonstrates a smashing drive. Dynamics, shading, rhythm interaction, each component mixed to produce the most explosive analeptic for the benefit of those who are addicted to this particular musical form, euphemistically known as jazz.

"Detour Ahead", eternally linked with the Billy Holiday heritage, is a memorable salute to the lady. Dick dominates the first section, to give way to Rein, who really opens his soul.

"Short Rainbow" is from hempen of one of Rein's dearest N.Y. friends, pianist Gillian (Jill) McManus. According to Jill it's part of a suite, inspired by landscapes of the American West. For those not familiar with North American Indian Mythology, Short Rainbow (Panaiyokyasi) is the deity of the water clan. Dick's contribution almost triggered up the studio's fire lighting devices, resulting in short rainbows in the beams of the studio lights. Note how Eric and Koos illustrate their mutual compatibility.

Side B opens in a romantic vein with "Lonely Hunter", composed by Vennik. It features Dick's gorgeous flute sound in the perfect setting provide by Rein's discreet piano excursions.

The title piece, "Modal Soul", is a musically modal theme, followed first by choruses in fours and then bye free form outings by each of the quartet's members. Everybody has his say, each one imprints the essentials of this personal conception into what should be regarded as a message to the faithful.

Sweet Basil

Detour Ahead

Short Rainbow

Lonely Hunter

Modal Soul