ORT007 : Vansina Orchestra / Morning Forest aka Nose up Bottom Down

ORT007 : Vansina Orchestra / Morning Forest aka Nose up Bottom Down

Bruno Vansina (38) has been active in the Belgian scene for some years now. He's regularly seen with his own projects Vansina-Verbruggen-Gudmundsson trio, Vansina Quartet (ft. Steve Nelson) as well as other bands like Rebirth Collective and Flat Earth Society.
This new project features the 'Bruno Vansina Quintet' and a large horn ensemble. The music consists of compositions by Bruno Vansina arranged for large ensemble by Dre Peremans (Rebirth Collective), a young talented Belgian composer, arranger and trombonist. For his arrangements he gets to work with a full colour pallet: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, 2 tenors, 1 alto, 2 trumpets and 2 trombones plus a large rhythm section: piano, guitar, bass, drums and percussion. A total of no less than 17 musicians!
Bruno's choice of horns for the large ensemble is reminiscent of Gil Evans/Porgy And Bess and of Charles Mingus/Mingus Mingus Mingus. And more recent inspiration derived from Wayne Shorter's recordings on 'Alegria' and his collaboration with the 'Imani Woodwind Ensemble'.
The music drives on grooves that appeal to Steve Coleman but also brings to memory the modal music of John Coltrane. Written in a intuitive way yet rhythmically quite evolved, it focuses heavily on color, atmosphere and contrast. The compositions have a worldly feel to them, at times exotic and meditative, like mantras. This feeling is amplified by the beautiful playing of Kobe Proesman on percussion and above all Magic Malik’s (FR) flute playing, largely featured on the newly recorded 'Morning Forest aka Nose up Bottom down' .
Let's not forget to mention the amazing and unique clarinet playing of John Ruocco (USA), featured on the opening track 'Dark Night' and more fantastic improvisation by Steven Delannoy, Carlo Nardozza, Christian Mendoza, Bert Cools .... 

"Ain't heard this brand of madness before. It was so much fun doing it! " John Ruocco.

Here Live in 2015:

Personnel

Bruno Vansina (alto saxophone), Christian Mendozza (piano), Bert Cools (guitar), Stefan Lievestro (bass), Teun Verbruggen (drums)

Personnel on tracks 1,2,4,5,7

Malik Mezzadri (flute), John Ruocco (clarinet & tenor saxophone), Kristien Cueppens (oboe), Kensuka Taira (bassoon), Bart Indevuyst (french horn), Steven Dellanoy (tenor saxophone), Wietse Meys (tenor saxophone & clarinet), Carlo Nardozza (trumpet), Jeroen Van Malderen (trumpet & flugelhorn), Frederik Heirman (trombone), Tom Verschoren (trombone, bass trombone & euphonium), Kobe Proesmans (percussion on tracks 2, 4, 5)

Recorded by Walter de Niel on January 29, 30 & 31, 2014 at Studio Toots, VRT, Brussels.

Mixed by Walter de Niel and Bruno Vansina on February 18, 19, 20, 21 & March 5, 2014 at Studio Toots, VRT, Brussels.

Mastered by Uwe Teichert on March 27 at Elektropolis, Wemmel.

Artwork by Bruno Vansina and Katrien Vandergooten.

Additional artwork and layout by Afreux, Antwerpen.

All songs written by Bruno Vansina.

Tracks 1, 5, 7 arranged by Dree Peremans.

Track 2 arranged by Bruno Vansina and Dree Peremans.

Track 4 arranged by Bruno Vansina.

The album (RAT027) is already released and on sale here.

Original digital release on Off on the 30th of June 2014, now in Bandcamp.

Track Listing:

1. Dark Night (10:31)

2. Fiesta Festivo (12:31)

3. Morning Forest aka Nose Up Bottom Down (5:21)

4. Ploink (11:31)

5. Groove Along (13:09)

6. Symphony Of The Fried Bananas (8:45)

7. Bike Insprivation (11:11)

8. Morning Forest aka Nose Up Bottom Down (4:30) - alternate mix bonus track ( digital release only)

In Bandcamp: