OUI091 : Vigdis Hansa Elst / Ruis

 

Cover art by Megan-Leigh Heilig 

OUI091 : Vigdis Hansa Elst / Ruis

Vigdis says:

'Ruis is my debut album as a composer, singer and bandleader. The album grew out of a fascination with listening: to one another, to what is happening around us, but also to silence and to what is left unsaid or unplayed.

The music consists of compositions for a jazz quintet, in which I explore different relationships between composition and improvisation. My influences lie both in jazz and classical music, from counterpoint to contemporary compositional techniques, as well as in free improvisation. These different approaches to material, form, time and interaction are not an end in themselves, but rather ways of finding expression and telling stories.

I write the lyrics myself, in both Dutch and English. Language, sound and rhythm are an integral part of the compositional process. The texts grow out of personal experiences and observations, touching on themes such as grief, letting go, distance, connection and listening. Hoorschelp, for example, is about listening to the sounds of the sea and sand at the beach, through a personal lense.'

The music moves between extremes: from very soft and intimate, almost on the edge of silence, to moments of powerful and explosive expression. Sylvain Debaisieux (tenor saxophone), Joseph Nowell (piano), Manolo Cabras (double bass) and Gaspard Sicx (drums) each bring their own musical language to the music, coming together in a continuous musical conversation.

Vigdis by Simon Debbaut

Vigdis Hansa Elst is a composer, vocalist, performer and improviser based in Brussels. She holds a Master's degree in Composition from the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, where she studied with Wim Henderickx and Luc Vanhove.

Her musical practice moves between two closely connected worlds: the composed and the spontaneous. She writes chamber, vocal and music-theatre works, while also exploring improvisation as a performer and vocalist. Her practice is rooted in both careful composition and the freedom of live, improvised music. 

Vigdis increasingly brings these two sides together on stage, performing her own compositions as well as improvisations, both solo and with ensembles.

Her work has received several distinctions, including a special mention in the European Award for Choral Composers and third prize in the Soundtrack competition of La Semaine du Son in Brussels.

Vigdis Hansa Elst: voice
Sylvain Debaisieux: tenor saxophone
Joseph Nowell: piano
Manolo Cabras: double bass
Gaspard Sicx: drums

Recorded by Manolo Cabras on December 18th and 19th, 2025, at the American Theatre, Laeken (Brussels)

Mixed & Mastered by Manolo Cabras

Met de steun van Muziekmozaïek & de Vlaamse Overheid
Artwork by Megan-Leigh Heilig
All compositions & lyrics by Vigdis Hansa Elst

Digital and physical release on the 23rd of October 2026.

Apple Music, Itunes, Deezer, etc.:

https://bfan.link/ruis

And on Bandcamp:

CD prices and shipping:

Price

World shipping (except USA) 19,00 € EUR Europe 18,00 € EUR Belgium 15,00 € EUR

ODG244 : Charles-Eric Charrier / Early sliding to opening

 

Covert art painting by Gilda Temple

ODG244 : Charles-Eric Charrier / Early sliding to opening

‘Early sliding to opening’ is a 4 tracks mini album which will pave the transition between his last double ‘Un’ album (see OUW025) and his forthcoming new one in February 2027 ‘I am sailed’.

Once again with strong texts and minimalistic but effective and powerful emotional music Charles-Eric gives us a moment to reconnect with another dimension in time and space.

A moment to forget about the day to day busy life and reflect about something else while floating on his voice and music.

All songs by Charles-Eric Charrier
*"Ghost" by Charrier & Cousin

Recorded and mixed by Jérôme Cousin at studio Vetter.
Played by Jérôme and Charles-Eric.
Painting by Gilda Temple

Digital release on the 16th of October 2026.

Track listing:

1: Easy sliding to opening
2: Sharpness groove
3: 75 joys
4: Ghost

Itunes, Apple Music, Deezer, etc.:

https://bfan.link/early-sliding-to-opening

And on Bandcamp:

OUI092 : douBt / never pet a burning dog

 

OUI092: douBt / never pet a burning dog

With moods and registers ranging from heavy-rock riffs to cosmic grooves to more lyrical and pastoral flavors, douBt's debut release, Never Pet a Burning Dog, is amazing in its' intensity and magnitude. This new power electric jazz trio -- featuring Alex Maguire (Hatfield and the North; Elton Dean), Michel Delville (The Wrong Object, Machine Mass Trio) and Tony Bianco (Dave Liebman, Machine Mass Trio) -- combines the energy of rock, the spirit of free-jazz, and post-Canterbury Nu Jazz lyricism.This aggressive, ambitious record also features a special guest contribution from Canterbury legend Richard Sinclair [Caravan; Hatfield & The North; National Health; Phil Miller & In Cahoots (1982-84)] on vocals and bass. Aggressive and ambitious, this album packs a wallop -- especially if one considers that this CD consists exclusively of first takes recorded live in the studio!Despite being rooted in traditions that inspired the members' respective careers, Never Pet a Burning Dog is decidely contemporary and one of the most forward-looking electric jazz albums released in a long time. ... And, as one might expect, it sounds unlike anything before.

Originally released on Moonjune Records in 2010.
Alex Maguire: Fender Rhodes electric piano, Hammond organ, Mellotron, synthesizers
Michel Delville: electric guitar, Roland GR-09
Tony Bianco: drums
Special Guest:
Richard Sinclair: vocals (Tracks 1 & 5), electric bass (1, 2)
Recorded in August 2009 in San Sebastiano da P, Italy, at Beppe Crovella's Electromantic Studio.
Produced by douBt & Leonardo Pavkovic.
Executive Producer: Leonardo Pavkovic.

Digital release on the 9th of October 2026.

Track listing:

1: Corale Di San Luca

2: Laughter

3: Over Birkerot

4: Sea

5: Passing Cloud

6: Cosmic Surgery

7: Aeon

8: Beppe's Shelter

Apple Music, Itunes, Deezer, etc.:

https://bfan.link/never-pet-a-burning-dog

And on Bandcamp:

OUI094 : Vigdis Hansa Elst / Hoorschelp

 Cover art by Megan-Leigh Heilig 

OUI094 : Vigdis Hansa Elst  / Hoorschelp

'Hoorschelp' or (h)ear shell (auricle) in English is the first single out of the forthcoming first album from Vigdis who composed and sings on it in Dutch and English.

Text: 

op het strand schelpen rapen voor geluid
geluid
van de zee
op je huid
van het wier in het water en het waden
het ruisen van het suizen
langs de sluizen naar de koude zoute baden onder het lawaai van het laaiende waaien
maar
niet van het verliezen van de vliezen van de trommels en de roffels, zachter, doffer alle donderdagen
niet van alle regenvlagenvragen
noch van het vertragen
niet van het vergeten
van het waden in het water en het wier
en van je huid en van de zee dat geluid
zomaar gevonden in een schelp
op het strand

English translation:

on the shore
 gathering shells
 for sound
sound
of the sea

against your skin

of seaweed in the water and the wading
 the whispering, the washing

through the sluices to the cold salt baths
 beneath the roaring of the raging wind
but
not [the sound] of the fading of the membranes
 of the drums and the drumrolls — softer now,
 duller every Thursday

not the questions asked by bursts of rain

nor the slowing down

nor the forgetting

of wading through water and weed
and of your skin and of the sea that sound
simply found inside a shell on the shore

Vigdis Hansa Elst: voice

Sylvain Debaisieux: tenor saxophone

Joseph Nowell : piano 

Manolo Cabras: double bass

Gaspard Sicx: drums

Digital release on the 6th of October 2026.

Apple Music, Itunes, Deezer, etc.:

https://bfan.link/hoorschelp

And on Bandcamp:

OUI089 : Ever Present / alledaagse gedachten

 

Cover art and design by Ramona Vangrinsven

OUI089 : Ever Present / alledaagse gedachten

Ever Present is a musical imagination of everyday life, as perceived by Tobias Volckaert. Ideas sprung from recurring scenes in familiar environments and on the road, but equally influenced by ongoing musings and reflections on our living world. Everyday thoughts that are sometimes light, playful and hopeful. Then again searching, reluctant, doubting. With this project, Tobias hopes to share the interweaving of impressions and thoughts in a wordless way with those around him.

Tobias' compositions have a strong melodic character and deliberately take the time to develop in an organic way. Analogous to the influence of daily impressions on our thoughts, melodies are constantly presented in a different light through changes in harmony, tempo and dynamics. This creates a coherent but ever-changing soundscape that evolves throughout the album from mysterious and questioning to cheerful and driving.

Tobias Volckaert: Saxophone and clarinet

Nicolas Van Belle: Guitar, effects and voice

Emanuel Van Mieghem: Double bass

Robbe Broeckx: Drums and percussion

All compositions by Tobias Volckaert

Recorded and mixed by Dries Van Ende at Zinnema, October 2025

Mastered by Frederik Dejongh at Jerboa Mastering

Cover work and design by Ramona Vangrinsven

Tobias, Nicolas, Emanuel and Robbe

Band members:

Tobias Volckaert:

Tobiasexplores different musical landscapes through a variety of woodwind instruments. After graduating as a jazz saxophonist, he started playing clarinet and flute to broaden his sound and textural possibilities. He developed his sound in different genres, being part of projects such as Abel Ghekiere and the Hnita Bigband, with which he had the opportunity to play in AB, Botanique, Eurosonic, Gent Jazz and Hnita Jazz Club among others.

Besides playing as a sideman, Tobias also explores his own artistic vision and compositional skill with two projects of his own. The music of Ever Present, played together with Nicolas Van Belle, Emanuel Van Mieghem and Robbe Broeckx, is influenced by folk, song-writing, free jazz and ambient. We, Lovebirds, with Suzan Peeters, Orlan Ghekiere and Ramona Vangrinsven, is an audio-visual project composed around birdsong and focused on live interaction with sounds that constitute the landscape.

Emanuel Van Mieghem: 

Emanuel Van Mieghem is a Belgian double bass player and composer, primarily active in jazz and improvised music. He has performed at notable festivals such as the Jaffa Jazz Festival and Gent Jazz Festival, and has studied under various renowned musicians. In 2023, he won the ‘Prix de la meilleure composition’ at the Avignon Jazz Festival for his project Mojo Jojo. He has performed at prestigious events like the Flagey Jazz Festival, Brussels Jazz Weekend, and many other European venues. Now based in Brussels, Emanuel is a sought-after bassist in the jazz scene.

Nicolas Van Belle: 

Nicolas is a guitarist and composer, active in sound-improvised music, jazz, rebetiko, noise rock. He completed his master’s degree 2019 from ‘The School of Arts’ Ghent, studied one year at the Royal Academy of Music, Denmark and also met different Norwegian artists in Oslo which led him to develop his own music palette. Nicolas seeks unconventional playing possibilities, resulting in compositions that capture specific sound colours. As a sideman, he is involved in various projects such as Suura, Erem,, Yarès, Ever Present, Baljuw and others. His work combines acoustic and electronic music, experimental sounds, and influences from various genres, often using effects to bring his sounds to life. 

Robbe Broeckx :

Started playing drums at an early age and in 2003 graduated cum laude from the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp, where he also received the Playright+ price.

Currently Robbe is an active sideman and is fortunate to play and be part of a wide variety of bands, projects and collaborations. 

Open to experiment and exploration, Robbe has got the chance to work with musicians from different musical backgrounds in different genres and musical worlds. Current bands and projects are, amongst others: Noa Lee, The Radar Station (winner de nieuwe lichting 2020), Chimaera (an interdisciplinary ensemble by dancers from P.A.R.T.S, a classical string quartet and two improvisers), a duo with classical pianist Brecht Valckenaers, folkcollaboration 'Trail Up North', Enara Navaira, Lars van de Voorde trio, Tobias Volckaert ‘Ever Present’, Nero Vergaert ‘Tiny Orchestra’,...

A vinyl will be available via Tobias at: tobias@volckaert.mobi

Digital release on the 2nd of October 2026.

Track listing:

1: Eerst

2: We, Here

3: Much Room

4: Vervolgens

5: Teruggeven, wat je nooit had 2

6: Overgroeid

7: Teruggeven, wat je nooit had 1 (this one is not on the vinyl, only digital release!)

8: En verder...

9: Flight of the Plastic Seagull

Apple Music, Itunes, Deezer, etc.:

https://bfan.link/alledaagse-gedachten

And on Bandcamp:

OLB006 : Lastboss / Tues BESTOW

Cover art and pic by Tate McNeil

OLB006 : Lastboss / Tues BESTOW

Tate says:

"Between 2024 and 2025, I committed to creating something everyday. Utilizing a field recorder, Koma field kit, Mood Mk2, guitar, bass and a variety of other portable devices, I built a collection of musical, and some not so musical, ideas to act as a record of the two year process. Each piece was performed and recorded live at my small home studio."

Digital release on the 25th of September 2026.

Track listing:

1: truth javelin

2: laburnum principle

3: machinations (interlude)

4: equatorial virgins

5: raceme magnificent

6: bin routing mega fauna

7: sellafield (interlude)

8: Tues BESTOW

9: ghosts of GCSEs past

Itunes, Apple Music, Deezer, etc.:

https://bfan.link/tues-bestow

And on Bandcamp:

OUI088 : Haard / Haard

 

Cover art by Maria Prokopaki - Design Manos Barkatsas

OUI088 : Haard / Haard

Neither the night. Nor the last drink. Neither the morning. Nor the birds.

Ούτε η νύχτα. Ούτε το τελευταίο ποτό. Ούτε το πρωί. Ούτε τα πουλιά.

Deriving inspiration from the Cretan mountains, this Brussels based band brings free improvised music going from ear-tickling noise to meditative soundscapes and free jazz outbursts. The improvisations have a suite-like form, developing slowly, sometimes cutting fast from one idea to another, creating one long body of work.

The self-titled album is a first encounter of Jordi Cassagne (double bass), Manos Barkatsas (guitar & fx), Stan Maris (accordion & fx) and João Lobo (drums).

Recording: Manos Barkatsas - Studio Grez - June 2025

Mix and mastering: Dries Van Ende

Stan Maris (see also OUI058) is a Belgian accordionist, composer and electronics artist based in Brussels.
Growing up listening to hip hop beats and alt-pop, combined with a background in jazz studies and improvised music, he brings a new sound to accordion.
Stan has performed and recorded with artists like Joe Talia, Robert Landfermann, Giovanni Di Domenico, Sofia Jernberg, Julian Sartorius, Radwan Gazi Moumneh, Clara Levy and others.

Manos Barkatsas is a boundary-pushing musician based in Brussels active in the spheres of free improvisation, experimental ambient  and interdisciplinary performance.
Primarily a guitarist, he also plays the Cretan lute and performs live electronics. 

His Cretan origin functions as an underlying thread in his musical practice, without limiting his work to geographical or stylistic boundaries.
He has collaborated with important musicians from the international experimental scene, including Akira Sakata, Luke Stewart, Chris Pitsiokos, Tatsuhisa Yamamoto, Aquiles Navarro, Shoji Hano , Giovanni Di Domenico, Peter Jacquemyn, Audrey Lauro, and Christos Yermenoglou among others.

João Lobo (see also OUI070): from jazz to gnawa music, electro-acoustic trance to total improvisation, in solo or in a big band, collaborating on dance and theatre productions and making soundtracks for movies, João Lobo maintains a versatile career as a musician mainly playing the drums. He has released two records under his name: “Nowruz” in 2017 and “Simorgh” in 2020.He is the co-founder of Oba Loba, Going, Tetterapadequ, Norman, Mulabanda, and a proud member of Giovanni Guidi Trio, Manuel Hermia Trio, Punk Kong, An Pierlè&La Lumière, Daniel Stokart Quartet

He has recorded more than 60 albums, some self-produced and others for labels such as ECM, Clean Feed, CamJazz, De Werf, El Negocito, three:four records, Challenge, NEOS.
He has performed and/or recorded in many countries around the world with many musicians including Enrico Rava, Marshall Allen, Roswell Rudd, Carlos Bica, Nate Wooley, Maalem Hassan Zogari, Tatsuhisa Yamamoto, Thomas Morgan, Chris Corsano, and collaborates intensely with Norberto Lobo, Giovanni Di Domenico, Lynn Cassiers, Manolo Cabras and Giovanni Guidi.

Based in Brussels since 2014, Jordi Cassagne ( see also OCD048) is a composer and musician from southwestern France, skilled in bass, double bass, and violone. Jordi’s musical journey has taken him along a path shaped by his diverse artistic encounters. At times, he is drawn by the alchemy of jazz and improvised music, while at others; he experiments with various musical aesthetics, including early music, modal traditions, and alternative rock.

Jordi composes and arranges for various groups, including the quintet Barbastelle, the post-rock group Limite, the sextet Cielo Vivo, the duo Yiasemi and his violone solo Soir Fossile. He has also been involved in numerous other projects over the years, including: Terpsichore (contemporary jazz), Haratago (Basque music), Julien Marga Quartet (jazz), Omega Impact (post –retro songs), Le Bal de Marie Galante (Caribbean ball), HAARD (improvisation), Beñat Achiary’s Un Poète à New York (jazz, improvisation). He also crossed paths with musicians such as: Denis Badault, Beñat Achiary, Maddi Oihenart, Mixel Etxekopar, Pedro Soler, Nicolas Nageotte, Olivier Thomas, Catherine Delaunay, Léo Jassef, Théo Lanau...

His discography includes several albums that have been warmly acclaimed by the music press. Barbastelle's album "Vestige Étésien" (Aut records) is selected in the Best Jazz on Bandcamp playlist of March 2025 and is awarded "Élu Citizen Jazz". “Bengalifère” (Futura/Hôte Marge - 2014) and “Terpsichore” (Outnote Records - 2022), were awarded “Révélation Jazz Magazine”. In 2016, the Julien Marga Quartet won the "Trophées du Sunside", and in 2019, they also won the 'Tremplin' prize at both the Tonnerre de Jazz festival in Pau and the Cosmojazz festival in Chamonix.

Digital release on the 18th of September 2026.

Track listing:

1: Neither The Night

2: Nor The Last Drink

3: Neither The Morning

4: Nor The Birds

Apple Music , Itunes, Deezer, etc.:

https://bfan.link/haard

And on Bandcamp: