A much stronger effort than his earlier
Dance of the Penguins (BVHAAST 9608),
What a Romance features a more confident, mature, and gruff-sounding
Chris Abelen on trombone -- who not only leads but does so in glorious style. The trombonist has expanded his technical abilities without sacrificing the distinct primitive tonal qualities that make his blowing so attractive.
Abelen shares the front line with the talented tenor saxophonist Tobias Delius, but it may be the atmospheric punches of
Corrie van Binsbergen on electric guitar that make the greatest impression (other than that of the trombonist). Van Binsbergen adds a rock-inflected stride that contrasts handily with the tightly constructed lines of the horns. Also, the compositions are perfect for the displays of all the members of the quintet. As Kevin Whitehead notes in his succinct liners,
Abelen writes "short pithy themes" and "undulating arrangements" that give rise to lots of opportunities to stretch out on the solos. With bassist Wilbert de Joode and drummer Charles Huffstadt firmly holding the bottom, the 13 relatively short tracks comprising this recording (none more than six minutes) offer finely crafted statements that let each member strut his stuff to fine advantage. ~ Steven Loewy