ROD 85 |  |
 |
Rodenstein Records ROD 85
Tom van der Geld
Soundtrack - Who Is Playing?
Tom van der Geld
Soundtrack - Who Is Playing?
more about the music
more about the musicians
reviews
With his new solo album Who Is Playing?, vibraphonist Tom van der Geld presents a work that is as intimate as it is reflective. The title is not only programmatic but also poses an almost meditative question that runs like a thread through the recording – a moment of pause in the sound, a sense of wonder at what emerges from the innermost self to the outer world.
Known as a pioneer of lyrical jazz forms, van der Geld remains true to his aesthetic here as well: delicate soundscapes, clear structures, an extraordinary depth of detail, and a style of playing that never seeks effects but rather meaning. The music breathes. It leaves space. And it demands – in the best sense – attentive listening.
The repertoire is tastefully selected: alongside standards like Only Trust Your Heart (Carter/Cahn), Up With The Lark(Kern), and the bittersweet Atrás Da Porta (Buarque), there are original compositions such as Making Waves and Three Times Someday. These pieces reflect van der Geld’s poetic sonic language, his melodic intuition, and his deep sense of musical form.
Recorded at Mystery Train Studio Stuttgart, mixed and mastered by Markus Birkle (sound) and Olaf Schönborn (label: Rodenstein Records), this CD sounds as transparent as one could hope for in a solo vibraphone project: every note floats clearly in the space, carried by natural resonance and acoustic presence.
Who Is Playing? is not an album that reveals itself quickly. It is a musical diary – quiet, honest, focused. An invitation to join a journey that understands music as spiritual practice.
A quiet masterpiece. And a powerful statement that reduction, clarity, and innerness in jazz have nothing to do with restraint – but everything to do with depth.
more about the musicians
reviews
more about the music
Tom van der Geld, one of the best jazz vibraphone players did it again: After his critically acclaimed vibraphone solo CD "Watching the Waves" Rodenstein Records ROD 35 he recorded another great solo album: "Soundtrack" (ROD 85) . A choice of seven great jazz standards and two originals. Music that breathes - beautiful, melodic, floating, poetic, and profound.reviews
Solo Vibraphone between Contemplation, Sonic Poetry, and Deep InnernessWith his new solo album Who Is Playing?, vibraphonist Tom van der Geld presents a work that is as intimate as it is reflective. The title is not only programmatic but also poses an almost meditative question that runs like a thread through the recording – a moment of pause in the sound, a sense of wonder at what emerges from the innermost self to the outer world.
Known as a pioneer of lyrical jazz forms, van der Geld remains true to his aesthetic here as well: delicate soundscapes, clear structures, an extraordinary depth of detail, and a style of playing that never seeks effects but rather meaning. The music breathes. It leaves space. And it demands – in the best sense – attentive listening.
The repertoire is tastefully selected: alongside standards like Only Trust Your Heart (Carter/Cahn), Up With The Lark(Kern), and the bittersweet Atrás Da Porta (Buarque), there are original compositions such as Making Waves and Three Times Someday. These pieces reflect van der Geld’s poetic sonic language, his melodic intuition, and his deep sense of musical form.
Recorded at Mystery Train Studio Stuttgart, mixed and mastered by Markus Birkle (sound) and Olaf Schönborn (label: Rodenstein Records), this CD sounds as transparent as one could hope for in a solo vibraphone project: every note floats clearly in the space, carried by natural resonance and acoustic presence.
Who Is Playing? is not an album that reveals itself quickly. It is a musical diary – quiet, honest, focused. An invitation to join a journey that understands music as spiritual practice.
A quiet masterpiece. And a powerful statement that reduction, clarity, and innerness in jazz have nothing to do with restraint – but everything to do with depth.
