EKSEPTION PLAYS BACH

Well, well, well ... a music that combines themes from classical composers with rock music? You might find The Nice or ELP. But if it then being combined with contemporary rock and jazz in a blend of dominating, virtuoso keys and trumpet plus sax(es), only Ekseption - the Dutch band - you might be referring to. And for this, Ekseption is probably the only band that has built the music in this arena and no one - as long as I know - has followed their path. Too odd? Not really, actually. But that's the fact. I can hardly find any band that continues the kind of music Ekseption has played.

As the title implies, this album is a compilation of what the band has interpreted and arranged the music of classical composer Bach into the kind of unique music by Ekseption. No one would argue that Johan Sebastian Bach is a genius classic composer and it's not my intention to write this review. The focus is only one: how good Ekseption interprets and arranges the music composed by Bach on songs featured here. Am not actually familiar with all songs by Bach but since I knew classical music through prog music in early seventies, finally I'm familiar with some composers.

As far as interpreting and arranging the music of Bach, I have to give two thumbs up for Ekseption who has successfully delivered a classical composition in such a dynamic way blending many styles. The use of multi instruments like organ, trumpet and saxophone has enriched the arrangement which makes the music is not just rewarding but it's also inquiring the mind. The opening track "Italian Concerto" (4:59) starts beautifully with sounds of Hammond organ that gradually moves up with the other instruments: sax and trumpets. The grand piano solo shows the jazzy style combined with pulsating organ work by Rick Van Der Linden (RIP). Trumpet by Rein van den Broek and saxophone by Dick Remelink give excellent accentuation for this arrangement.

"Toccata" (5:15) is a very famous song which starts with well-known Church organ sound typically many people have heard already. What follow is a great combination of trumpet, sax, clavinet / keyboard. Remember how fast the notes played at "Vivace"? This time Ekseption uses trumpets to do the job. The result is an awesome sound! The melancholic "The Lamplighter" (3:02) has a killing melody through the use of organ and clavinet / harpsichords with excellent trumpet solo in jazzy style. "Siciliano" (3:17) brings the symphonic nuance combined with jazzy style especially during trumpet solo.

"Bouree" (3:17) was a song that I knew the first time through Jethro Tull who arranged it beautifully with Ian Anderson's flute. This time Ekseption arranges differently with much rocking style using dynamic music at opening followed with guitar and bass work intertwiningly. It's an excellent arrangement and gives me another look of the composition. The guitar solo punctuated with brass section and organ solo are truly stunning. "Have Mercy On Me" (5:44) is very melodic stuff with great clavinet sound. "Air" (2:15) concludes the album peacefully.

Well, I have to admit that this is an excellent addition to any prog music collection, especially if you appreciate classical composer. But it's not only that- this album proves to be successful in blending classical, rock and jazz into excellent music. For those of you who are not familiar with classical music can learn from this album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Yet another band I know almost nothing about. Thanks to the public library system for filing this one under ‘Classical’. And really that’s what it is: various Bach classics given a sort of ‘switched on Bach’ treatment. Those who were around years ago may remember Wendy Carlos and her synth-driven recordings of Bach classics, and the litany of copycats who followed her in the early seventies. This album is sort of like that, except that for the most part these are real symphonic and band instruments (with the exception of Rick van der Linden’s organ), and the ‘treatment’ part mostly consists of the addition of lots of brass to the arrangements, the aforementioned organ, and of course guitars and drums.

This isn’t a very memorable album really, but it makes for some decent background music for a boring afternoon while I’m catching up on reading and a little spring cleaning. There’s not much point in describing each track since the album’s title pretty much lays out the concept. The rest doesn’t require a whole lot of imagination to figure out.

These aren’t complete renditions of classic compositions, they’re more like samplers. A couple that are noteworthy include “Ave Maria” with some really upbeat and beautiful horn arrangements mixed in with what sounds like an electric piano; the jazzy and heavily guitar-infused “Bourree”; the short “Air” with its lively piano scales and more trumpet; and the opening “Italian Concerto” which sounds anything but Italian – more like ‘classical gas’ with a bluesy tempo.

I’m not sure why I’m even writing about this record except that I’ve been playing it for a couple days now and it’s kind of growing on me. I was surprised to find this band listed here, although in looking over their discography this is probably on the far end of their classical leanings.

This is a modestly-recommended record if you run across it and are into jazzed-up classical music. I’m not sure it’s really progressive – kind of reminds me of more obscure bands like Sindelfingen, The Load, and Carnegie, or maybe a much tamer version of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. If you’re into bands like that you’ll probably dig this one; otherwise, you probably won’t. Three stars.

peace

I don`t know if Rick van der Linden`s (Ekseption`s main composer and main arranger) favourite Baroque Music composer was J.S. Bach, but in my opinion van Leer`s and Ekseption`s adaptations and arrangements of Bach`s works are the best they did for their albums. They sound really inspired, particularly during the band member`s solos in "Air" (a great spinet solo by van Leer), "Siciliano in G" (a very good arrangement, with a great trumpet solo by Rein van der Broek), "Ave Maria" (with two wind instruments playing two different melodies which complement each other very well), "Italian Concerto" and "The Lamplighter" (with some Jazz improvisations), "Peace Planet" (with very good fast rhythms and organ melody), "Toccata" and "Partita" (both played with Pipe Organ and augmented by some Jazz improvisations). These tracks still sound with some Pop Rock commercial influences but still sound to me very good, and I still think that the material included in this album is a very good example of the very good arrangements and adaptations that this band did for Classical Music composers` works.

This is the time of the year for some church organs and Bach.

Johan Sebastian Bach is a mainstay in progressive rock and a composer who has massive influenced the likes of Genesis and in particular; ELP and their clones. Musicians in the 1970s who arrived in the rock scene from classical music mostly did it through Johan Sebastian Bach. Just think about it.......

Ekseption is a band who were more classical music inspired than The Nice and ELP. On this album, they also induce some jazz to jazz up Bach a bit. The music is the standard Bach compositions and the music is good. BUT....... in my view; music is also about adding own identity to the proceedings. Yes, the musicians is excellent and the music is good. But the music is mainly Bach's own music with some improvisations filled in by Ekseption. And their own stuff is not particular good. Ekseption is not in the same class as Johan Sebastian Bach, I think it is fair to conclude on the basis of this album. Despite of that, this album is not too shabby and I would regard it as a good album. A very festive three stars are awarded..... under some very serious doubts.

3 stars (barely)