British tenor saxophonist Tobias Delius grew up in Germany and Mexico and settled in Amsterdam in the early eighties. Here he quickly found a connection with the scene around the BIM House and the associated Instant Composers Pool (ICP). He is now a prominent member of this orchestra around pianist / composer Misha Mengelberg and drummer Han Bennink. The latter also plays in Delius's quartet,
… alongside cellist Tristan Honsinger and bassist Joe Williamson. In terms of energy and unbridled lust for improvisation, Luftlucht is most reminiscent of the first, groundbreaking albums by Ornette Coleman's quartet from the late fifties. This also has to do with the absent piano and the bluesy feeling with which Delius plays. Sometimes the boisterous parts (with much tried and tested hands and feet by Bennink) become almost cozy, where the musicians enthusiastically begin to call out and encourage each other. It makes Luftlucht a captivating and powerful free jazz album. (MR)more
