Description

TERRIE EX & JAAP BLONK - OZO BONN (cassette by Eh? 117)

A few years ago I reviewed a CD by guitarist Terrie Ex and voice artist Jaap Blonk (Vital Weekly 1116). Both are heavyweights when it comes to playing improvised music, anywhere and with anyone. I enjoyed their CD quite a bit, having heard both of these musicians for a very long time, but not together (although Blonk was once part of the 'orchestra' that celebrated 25 years of The Ex). As I don't look that often at what's playing, I have no idea if these two men followed up their joint release with a tour, but, as this cassette shows, there have been some concerts.

On July 27, 2020, they played at OZOLand in Hunsel (The Netherlands) and on March 13, 2020, they were in St. Helena in Bonn (Germany). That explains the title of this cassette. Besides using his voice, Blonk has electronics at his disposal (for several years now). As I am listening to these recordings, which are split into various 'songs' or 'pieces', rather than being one long recording, I am thinking about the whole nature of improvisation and releases containing these improvisations. Their CD was, as far as I know, a studio recording, but there is very little difference in approaching the 'studio' and the 'stage' I would think. I am sure musicians have an off-day but they would not find their way onto a record or such, but maybe all the rest can be released as well? Surely, I can likewise think there are other factors in play (for instance a not so great recording), but it would be interesting to compare recordings and approaches to the instruments on a microscopic level.

I am writing all of this to express that I think these are great recordings and capture the exceptional qualities of these musicians very well. Upon closer inspection, they do play songs, with a start and stop and explore within the space of a song (be it long or short), a set of sounds, ideas and approaches, continuing the listener to surprise.

-- Frans de Waard / Vital Weekly

Side A: OZO 1-7
Side B: BONN 1-7

Jaap Blonk - voice, electronics
Terrie Ex - guitar

Side A recorded live by Mike Kramer at OZOLand, Hunsel, Netherlands, July 24, 2020
Side B recorded live by Pavel Borodin at Kreuzung an St. Helena, Bonn, Germany, March 13, 2020

Produced by Jaap Blonk
Photos by Mike Kramer
Thanks to: In Situ Art Society, Jazz Blazzt