A long-overdue look at the Belgian jazz scene in the postwar years – a nation that always seems to get overlooked next to the more famous jazz musicians that have recorded in Denmark, France, and The Netherlands at the time! Yet the Belgian scene also gave
Paris some of its most important players of the 50s – and also helped provide a crossroads for American and other European musicians too – so there's a very lively sense of expression and exploration here – most that are mostly soulful, and in styles that include hardbop and modal – but in ways that share some of the best modern ideas of the Danish greats of the time. The package is way more than just music, too – as the notes are copious, and include images of all the rare records that provided the material – a few you might know, but not as Belgian classics – and lots more that should be very new! The set features both homegrown recordings, and Belgian contributions to other European recordings – and titles include "African Dance" by Jack Sels, "Dark Eyes" by Francy Boland, "Cecilia" by The Clouds, "Witch Of Salem" by Rene Goldstein & His Group, "Work Song" by Jacques Pelzer, "Let's Get Swinging" by The St Tropez Jazz Octet, "Grelots" by Philip Catherine & Robert Pernet, "Bernie's Taste" by Rene Thomas/
Bobby Jaspar Quintet, "Ensadinado" by Fats Sadi, "Clarinescapade" by
Bobby Jaspar, "Minor Works" by Lucky Thompson & Jack Sels, "Hall's Blues" by The Clouds, "Digging Chick" by Herman Sandy, "Subtroyan Influence" by Jon Eardley, and "Minor 5" by Saxorama & Jack Sels.