Henk Kraaijeveld – Patches of Sky (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 46:06 minutes | 891 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © ZenneZ Records
Hotly-tipped vocalist and composer Henk Kraaijeveld has already won plaudits from jazz critics in his homeland of The Netherlands for his warm voice and disarming stage presence. With ‘Patches of Sky’ (March 31st on Zennez Records) he looks to take his adventures farther and higher than ever before.
Following his 2018 debut ‘Passengers’ (launched at Amsterdam’s legendary Bimhuis), Kraaijeveld has spent the last few years honing his craft in front of live audiences. As a ‘schooled’ jazz musician who nonetheless prefers mystery over mastery, he brings together compelling music with poetic lyrics, storytelling and surprising improvisations.
Playful and light-footed music alternates with intense vivacious grooves and harmonies which bring to mind self-proclaimed influences like Sting, Bobby McFerrin and Esperanza Spalding. There are laid-back bluesy numbers, an energetic vocal interpretation of Wayne Shorter’s Adam’s Apple , a 43-second whistlestop version of Milestones and even a melancholic reworking of a Nick Drake classic.
Yet it’s personal storytelling which shines through. “I am fascinated by our human need to be able to be vulnerable and to be loved with all our potential and flaws” he comments. “The album therefore comes from a place of openness where I explore the mysteries and paradoxes of life.”
Tracklist:
1-1. Henk Kraaijeveld – Patches of Sky (05:01)
1-2. Henk Kraaijeveld – Patience (There’s a Time) (03:56)
1-3. Henk Kraaijeveld – Long Road (06:52)
1-4. Henk Kraaijeveld – Place to Be (04:27)
1-5. Henk Kraaijeveld – Adam’s Apple (05:32)
1-6. Henk Kraaijeveld – Commonly Unique Individual Casualness (03:48)
1-7. Henk Kraaijeveld – Milestones (00:43)
1-8. Henk Kraaijeveld – Way to Go (03:57)
1-9. Henk Kraaijeveld – Saidjah’s Song (06:28)
1-10. Henk Kraaijeveld – Après un Rêve (03:37)
1-11. Henk Kraaijeveld – Mole’s Wish to Fly (01:40)
