The Bert van den Brink Trio with Rick Margitza: Conversations

Conversations is a soulful disc of jazz and jazz/funk. Often the latter comes in unexpectedly: John Coltrane's "Naima" is invested by drummer Hans van Oosterhout with a heavy funk beat, although tenor saxophonist Rick Margitza plays rather conventionally over it. But of course this is no indication that this quartet isn't capable of shifting down to play a ballad: there's Jacques Brel's "La Chanson des Vieux Amants" immediately following "Naima," and played with a keen sincerity and no funk at all.

In fact, most of this disc has a smoky and intimate feel. Margitza has a warm, buttery tone, and van den Brink displays Evansian delicacy. The rhythm men are competent and unassuming. Then on tracks like the loping "Brother, Can You Spare Me a Dime" they kick it around a little, all in good fun.

This is a disc for late nights with the lights low and the wine poured. Not flashy, not self-important, and full of pleasant jazz wll-played.

Personnel:

Bert van den Brink, p; Rick Margitza, ts; Hans Van de Geyn, b; Hans van Osterhout, d.

Track listing: You Must Believe in Spring / Naima / Le Chanson des Vieux Amants / His Eyes, Her Eyes / All the Things You Are / A Child is Born / Secret Love / The Look of Love / Emily / Brother, Can You Spare Me a Dime / A House is Not a Home.

Title: Conversations | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Challenge Records