Saxophonist Benjamin Herman had been a fan of the British pianist Stan Tracey for years. When he was programmer of Jazz International Rotterdam 2005 he got the opportunity to persuade him to come to Rotterdam, to do a session together, to which trombonist Bart van Lier was also invited. This went so well that Herman and van Lier went to London to record a session with Tracey for posterity. Completely
… in accordance with Herman's principles, this session was recorded in one 'take', without overdubs and other post-production frills. The gentlemen were outside the studio again after four hours. The London Session recalls the time when musicians told beautiful stories with few notes, and thus managed to touch the soul of the listener. Like in the very emotional rendition of Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo and Herman's own conjuring Bootlicker. With Psychoville and Bar Italia, the company is a bit more cheerful. The London Session proves that in 2006, heartfelt soul jazz can still be made. (AD)more
