Willers, Roder, Marien

Although Derek plays Eric suggests a mix of influences between the notorious and abstract avant-garde Brit guitarist Derek Bailey and the very blueslike Eric Clapton, there are clearly other forces at play here as well.. This is not just experimentation for it's own sake, it is a fascinating fusion and has a very strong musical statement to make. In doing so it tells us that it hasn't just appeared from nowhere, butthat it is derived from definite traditions, both ancient and modern, which are clearly an important part of these musicians' experience.Andreas, a young veteran, has worked with vast list of Germany's finest players and composers, and also alongside such great international figures as Trilok Gurtu and the great Paul Bley. I note that he has also worked with the underrated saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock, who I once used to play on a short film soundtrack which she completed in one day with great inventiveness. I first came across Andreas playing a solo version of the Graham Bond Organization's Walking in the Park on bass guitar on a Jack Bruce tribute show we shared in Berlin in 2015. But his work as leader and composer is new to me, a very pleasant surprise.The material on this record, however, is extremely varied, from Mingus and Ellington to the now revered Brit progrock band Gentle Giant. There are also a number of fine originals, revealing Andreas' writing skills (he has composed for the fabled NDR Orchestra) and also a very musical sense of humour. Unusually for this area of music, Andreas makes very good use of the ancient musical device of the medley, which combines a number of melodies, both familiar and otherwise, in the same piece.