Saxophonist Matthias van den Brande studied in Antwerp, Amsterdam and Philadelphia and developed into a gifted musician and composer active in both Belgium and the Netherlands. His favorite rhythm section consists of Tijs Klaassen (double bass) and Wouter Kühne (drums). The title Three Sides Of A Coin for this debut of the trio is aptly chosen. In often subdued pieces, they play together closely
… and with constant interaction. In this, Van Den Brande's dark, almost sultry playing is merely a guide. One plays subdued and sensitive, and sometimes a traditional jazz melody suddenly rises from the meandering trio, as in the live track Chelsea Bridge. The whole thing sometimes threatens to get a little too inward, as if as a listener you are not welcome by this intimately playing together trio. (MR)more
