Lotz, Kneer and their guests magnetically attract a surprising
response. All this topped to soothingly melodic conclusion ... . Musical
adventure? Rely on it! (His Voice (Czech))
Moments of great intensity. .... . Abstraction to concreteness showing a varied music passing through nervous moments, is descriptive, environmental and shows a character, so to call it, canon. (Toma Jazz (Spanish))
54 minutes of high-class improvisations with no moment of boredom! Every track nails it. (Jazzflits.nl (Dutch))
Il faut dire que Lotz et Kneer sont des improvisateurs de premier plan. Leurs collègues sont pal mal non plus, ... (Monsieur Delire (Canada))
A fascinating journey with some of the most unique improvisers on the fertile Dutch scene. (All About Jazz (USA))
No belly flops in this coherent and deep pool of music. (Cult Montreal (Canada))
The core duo have a clear rapport and sonic identity marking their abstract improvisations with a frictive astringency. (Downbeat (USA))
Oviously there is an enormous potential of improvisors in Holland. (Jazzism (Holland))
... you should visit Lop Lop's Web site last week if not sooner, and pick this up straightaway. (Ken Egbert, Jazz Now)
This tri-continental orchestra is a PC critic's dream. There is something really deep and moving here. (Modern Drummer)
Embracing a celebration of life - a colorful cross-cultural sampling of musical compositions. (Jazz Review)
This is world music that does justice to its sources. (Cadence Magazine)
A beautifull initiative that sums up the meaning of 'worldmusic' in one single project. (Brabants Dagblad)
It's the amalgam that amazes here. (Jazz Now Interactive)
An adventurous sound that straddles jazz, classical, traditional and avant garde musics. It's a sense of comradely fun that music brings on like nothing else. They definitely hit a lot of the right nerves with an infectious palette of rhythms, melodies and thoughtful exchanges of musical ideas. A refreshing, pleasurable disc. (World Music Central)
Spontaneous Worldjazz, straight from the heart. (Trouw)
Universal improvised worldmusic. The compositions are solid, yet fuel spontaneity managing to produce highly accessible music at the same time. (Dagblad van het Noorden)
All the voices of world music into a powerfull big band that's solid like a rock. (Onze Wereld)
Ça grouille, ça bouille, ça vit. (This music is slithering and shaking with life.) (Monsieur Delire, François Couture, Canada, sept. 2011)
An astonishing, exceptional level of spontaneous interaction. The capacity of Lotz coming directly to the essence in all the different settings really takes you by suprise. This is free music in its most universal variation. (Vrij Nederland)
Excellent document of the different approaches to composition and improvisation - basically electroacoustic improvisation with a 'chamber' approach. (London Resonance)
Fascinating harmonics explorations, confrontations between elektronica and acoustic instruments and surprising work by the laptop. (Jazzflits)
It's fascinating to hear the palette of sounds expanding, the music going in more directions and the will to push in order to connect more disparate elements. For all I feel it's profoundly humane, for all I know it doesn't hold any barriers of culture, race, language, religion, time and space. A democratic and universal form of personal expression and communication. (Free Jazz Alchemist)
Fresh music, beyond every barrier, including electronic, electric and acoustic, between composed and improvised, classic and avant-garde. ... everything seems to regain a new vitality and a current. (Mescalina, Italy)
Lotz and Islak Köpek match up well to forge skillful manipulations of sound. The sextet keeps the vitality pumping as it builds dense textures through a sustained thrust of momentum. (All About Jazz)
Connection of different inputs from newest live-electronics up to John Cage and Free Jazz. (rated 4 stars) (Jazz, Swiss)
... many of the city’s players are ready for prime time. ... capture an organized unit comfortable with novel sonic impulses. Islak Köpek in toto is evidentially ready for more western exposure. (Jazzword.com (K.Waxman))
Listening you become aware that here some substantial music is being made. (Tim Prangers, Jazzscene, Jazz International Rotterdam)
The interaction is extremely solid, spirited and filled with surprises twists and turns. (Downtown Gallery, NYC)
Fascinating sound art and music concrete poetry. (Politiken (Danish))
Lotz behaves like a fish in the water here ... producing the most wonderous sounds. No musical mash or disorientated freaky playing here but subtleness and good balance between electronic and acoustic sound manipulation. Prooves that anno 2010 improvisation is an international spoken language. (www.jazzflits.nl)
No categorisation to find here. Maybe: 'Freejazzworldfusion with a wink'? For every listener with open ears longing for adventure. (www.moorsmagazine.nl)
Lotz not only is a distinguished flutist but also one with sharp ears. Sparkling sound pictures ... the result is surprisingly accessible! (Volkskrant Newpaper)
Lotz' collaborators .... on the evidence of this album, seems to be full of invention, ability and humor. ... . At times troubling, at others funny and warm, the music on Istanbul Improv Sessions May 5th has impressive depth and richness. (All About Jazz (B.Lindsay))
Istanbul Improv Sessions May 5th is an imaginative, surprisingly accessible and masterful demonstration of truly adventurous musical minds. (All About Jazz (E.Hareuveni))
Istanbul one of the world centers of improvised music. It is very noticable how under the leadership of Mark Lotz, the Turkish improvisers known for their feverish performance are performing subtle, collegial interupted with occasional appropriate screams. (Uni Magazine (Czech Republic))
Careful creations of intensive and inspired soundscapes. Group improvisations on an highly interesting level. (Draai om je oren (Jacques Los))
Sound is captured and manifested into startling shapes and becomes not only a harbinger of the essence of this record but also the messenger of the power of invention. (All About Jazz (J.D'Souza))
Committed to express every abrasive timbre that can be pulled, pushed and whapped from an instrument, the cacophonous result of mouthpiece squeezed split tones, twittering bird calls, buzzing guitar reverb and brassy, flat-line trumpeting becomes as exciting as it is impudent. (Jazzword.com (K.Waxman))
... privileges the rough sound, out of which an intimate, fragmentary proximate musical quality is born. (Citizen Jazz (France))
Hooked! (Fono & Stereo Welt, (rated the maximum of five stars))
A taste of the future of Jazz, finally a fresh new approach by the cream of the Dutch Jazz field. (P.Merret, PBS Australia)
Lotz of Music created with Bite! another masterwork!. This Cd is worth to score high in the year lists. A must have! (Mazzmusicas (former Rootstown))
Atmospheric and enchanting. (Volkskrant newspaper (rated the four stars))
Uncomparable unique sound world. (Jazzflits)
Fresh, entertaining and uplifting music. (All About Jazz)
Again a memorable album in the rich and capricious oevre of Lotz. (Jazzenzo)
Is this still jazz? ... no but greatly performed music where the joy of playing is blasting off. (Jazzpodium)
Oh, how awesome is this... It’s fun, unpredictable, and loaded with unique sounds including prepared piano, PVC flute, and a rubber-band thingy they call a “brim-bram.” ... Very cool. (KZSU, Zookeeper)
His (Lotz) most sparkling CD ever. (Mixed magazine)
Again Lotz provides an exciting musical journey not only bloody beautifull but humerous as well. (Moorsmagazine)
Fishsounds within intelligent and creative music. Stronly focused and wrapped in a stereo box. (Russian Cultura Magazine)
Incredible fish sounds and intonations of under water life. (Ukrainian Max Magazine)
Mark Alban Lotz has a new CD out called “bite!” which really is worth many listens. (Avant Music News)
This is not your average disc. Surprisingly, for all of the oddness contained in the instrumentation, this doesnt sound all that strange. .. this is a unique blend! (Cadence Magazine)
La musique, 19 pièces, est splendide: plutôt accessible, souvent surprenante, parfois attachante même. Entre jazz, musique contemporaine et musique actuelle. (The music, 19 short tracks, is gorgeous: rather accessible, often surprising, endearing at times. Between jazz, modern chamber music, and musique actuelle. ) (Monsieur Delire (Canada))
Fantastic Fulani Fusion. A stellar example of acoustic global fusion from artists at the top of their game. (Spin The Globe)
Paris watch out, one of the finest contemporary West African CDs came out of The Netherlands. An exciting blend of Fula Music with ... . (world music central)
You do not need words to understand what every individium tells you on this penetrating album. Mark Lotz and his musicians are knitting one juwel after the other here. Everything falls on its place with this pure pearl. (Jazzenzo.nl, Rinus van der Heijden)
Excellently sequenced and mixed it is extremely satisfying experience from start to finish. (Fly Global Music Magazine, Jon Mitchell)
I love the album's energy and the musicianship is top-notch. I was so impressed with the release that it made the 1 spot on my monthly report to NAR. (KIPO, Hawai Public Radio, Lilian Tsang)
It’s a very unique and beautiful sound. Omar’s voice is absolutely haunting. A Fula’s Call demonstrates what happens when people cast their cultural differences aside and join forces for a common cause. (Jazz.com, Tomas Pena)
A Fula’s Call, an astonishingly beautiful recording that seamlessly weaves music with tales of the nomadic life, the walk to Mecca, peace, harmony, happiness, truth, honesty justice and the horrors of war. (Latin jazz Network, Tomas Pena)
The recently released cd Liingu is the result of this perfect mix of the best that different cultures have to offer. Everybody should listen to. The tracks make you travel, almost floating on the river Niger. (Africa News, Tontonjovo)
The intonations of Senegal, Iran, Europe and India intermingles into a music sensitive peacefuly federated in the jazz of today. (ZunZun magazine)
Four world class musicians. (Dagblad Trouw, Armand Serpenti)
Liingu is very alternating, with no dul moment - no chance to sit still anymore. Wonderful creative music! (Fluit, Mia Dreese)
Adventurous world fusion. ... . Splendid, splendid! (Moorsmagazine)
This is what the world needs - honest, organic, natural collaborations where heart meets sound. 'DELIGHTFUL, ROBUST, STRONG, and a host of other adjectives I'd ascribe to this beautiful release. It is a powerful moment to surrender to what the music wants [to be]. (KBCS, D. DeCarlo)
Here it happens! What a glittering Dutch production! A Fula's Call is a coherent mix of cultures. .. the result is more than a mix of just being guests of each other ... self exceeding ... happily ... splendid ... masterful ... (Jazzism, Remco Taken, rated five stars)
A CD as strong as iron. ... sounds breathtaking! (Mazzmuzika (former Rootsworld))
Somehow, each component retains its crunchy identity. (Financial Times, David Honigmann)
Without apearing artificial they unit different musical worlds with great ease to a design that fits no prefixed drawer. (Folker Magazin, Claudia Frenzel)
Liingu is so appealing by it’s honesty of the music and it’s cosmopolitical character. A special album, listening to it a lot, giving you ever more perspectives. (Jazzflitz.nl, Frank Huser)
Here you hear how to make the most beautiful music within the most unthinkable instrument setting. (Brabants Dagblad, Rinus van der Heijden)
Spontaneous improvised miniatures and elaborate songs. (Jazz Magazine, Ken Vos - rated four stars)
Pendant la Nuit is the kind of CD you set your CD player on repeat and let it play a whole evening. (www.jazzflitz.nl)
... can't say enough good about this one either. Lotz, as ever, wields an estimable selection of flutes and melodic hooks (first time out of the mailing envelope, I played the opening, highly Stravinsky-esque 'Cowboy Game' eleven times in a row before I went on to the next track). (Jazz Now, Ken Egbert)
The music is as iridescent and colorful as the biography of multiflautist Mark Alban Lotz. A collection of great miniatures ... toy instruments and 'objects trouvés' make 'Cowboy game' a sound jewel. (www.jazzdimensions.de)
A varied and easy to listen too album, much more than merely a decor for a theater play. ( www.draaiomjeoren.com)
Pendant La Nuit changes between subtle jazz and ethnic tuned chambermusic - intimate melodicness up to passionated sound sculptures. Cowboy like playfullness to introvert dreamness. A happy album. Challenging to unproblematic listing but maintains it’s high musical quality. (Uni Magazine (Czech Republic))
Combining smart and funky contempo jazz with Afro-Cuban ritual music is always a good idea but it doesn't always work. No one is better at it then Mark Lotz! It's a mix he's gotten good at, like the person designated to make the fresh squeeze lemonade because they make it best.
(Latin Jazz Program @ www.jazzbuffalo.com) (www.jazzbuffalo.com)
.... striking outing from the Netherlands. ...veering between the campfires of enslaved Cuban worshippers and the smoke-filled clubs of New York. (fly.co.uk)
Magical and remarkable: The Improvisations within the jazz domein always articulate without hurting the Yoruba tradition! (Jazz Hot, France)
Miles away from convivial Cuban dance music but hitting the essence of Origin. (Rootstown Music)
A stew of bata rhythms peppered with uplifting solos. Envigorating energy and a spiritual edge. (Straight No Chaser, UK www.storerecords.net)
One of the best seven percussion driven releases of the year. Music feature by Jason Finkelman. (The Hub - www.thehubweekly.com)
An album full of mysticism. (Pleasure)
... if you just love to be adventurous, then this is one to get you by the winter blah's. It is a wonderful mix of Afro-Cuban, religious folklore and jazz. (Editors Pick, Jazz Week, USA)
World music nowadays is as broad as a continent, but here you find a group who is heading definitely for a new direction. These fourteen tracks take you by surprise. (Brabants Nieuwsblad)
Glowing folkloric singing with spicy harmonies and contrasting rhythms. (Fluit)
This project is full of energy and abundance. (Jazz magazine - rated four stars)
The ensemble jams Cuban, Jazz and raga elements into a sensuous mix. (Cadence Jazz magazine)
Flutist Mark Alban Lotz has produced one of the more oddly gorgeous recordings I've listened to this year. (Michael J. Renner, Jazz Series Review (St. Louis))
[...] sometimes slightly creepy, sometimes dreamy, often starkly beautiful. Check out esp. their otherworldly treatment of Moore's 'Eth'. (Jan P. Dennis, www.amazon.com)
[...] voracious aproach to cross blending [...] Impeccable chops on the full range of his instrument. (Cadence magazine)
Pum'kin Diaries is a perfect executed exercise of balance between earnestness and fun, between discipline and and freedom. (Vangelis Aragiannis, Syros Daily Newspaper)
... they're going to make some real noise. (Tad Hendrickson: CMJ New Music Report, NY)
Beautifully done, sprightly and satisfying throughout. One of my favorites this year. (Ken Egbert, www.jazznow.com)
The concept of playing by Lotz Of Music is that of unforced freedom. (Fluit)
The variety of composers, genres and atmospheres and the unity of this whole makes Pum'kin Diaries very special. (Draai om je ooren, Erno Mijland)
... a fresh, global and oddly beautiful sound! (Rick Congress, Random Chance Records)
... one surprise one after another. And what about this: in Pygmy Lounge the musicians improvise on top of sounds recorded in a Pygmy village in the Congo! (Rinus van der Heijden, Brabants Dagblad)
Fantastic is the CD Pum'Kin Diaries by flutist Mark Alban Lotz in a quartet with drummer Michael Vatcher. (Slagwerkrant, The Netherlands)
Highlight is the groups improvisation superimposed on sounds of a Pygmy Village during and after rainfall. (Ken Vos, Jazz - rated four and a half stars)
... Pygmy Lounge ... almost as beautiful as perfect silence! (NRC Handelsblad)
Another winning session from Lotz, a quirky Dutch flutist who likes to incorporate plastic, rubber and glass sounds into his music. Lotz’s flute work is bright and agile, twisting energetically over the band’s varied, cool-toned but always adventurous settings, from bop to enigmatic abstraction. Good, creative stuff. (KZSU)
An intriguing programme of progressive chamber jazz. (Cadence Magazine (2007))
The CDs by Mark Alban Lotz are the best examples I've heard of successfully blending bata drums with non-Latin music. I highly recommend them. (Mark Corrales, batadrums.com)
Without a doubt the best dutch production of traditional Afro Cuban music ever. (Big Band)
The funny thing is: Lotz has nothing to do with the son revival going three or even four steps beyond it! (Nieuwsblad v.h. Noorden)
A wonderful album. You will forget the snow immediately! (Pleasure)
The jazz harmonies and rythms enrich the songs, adding intriguing new dimensions. (Oye Listen)
This music combines the passion of religious chants, the authentic swing of caribean tradition and the masculine solidity of jazz with the authentic attraction of the mix of that whole. (Jazz Nu)
A treasure of study material! (Algemeen Dagblad)
The result of that musical combinations is of wonderful beauty. (BN)
True fans of Afro-Cuban jazz and folk music will love this CD! Recommended to students of Afro-Cuban folklore and music. (Jazz review)
The exciting and surprising musical discoveries dominate throughout this remarkable project. (Fluit)
Lotz ingeniously succeeds in constructing two different musical traditions into one new unity. (NRC Handelsblad)
The concept sounds as natural as birdsong. (Pan, UK)
With Lotz Of Music, 'World Music' turns into something magical. (Pianowereld)
This is not just an exotic flirt but a real organic fusion. (De Volkskrant)
A boundless variety of inspiring polyphony and subtle swing. An impressive amalgamation of jazz, popular music and Afro Cuban folklore in almost symphonic arrangements. (De Gooi- en Eemlander)
After listening to Lotz Of Music the listener is left lots of joy. (Nieuwsblad v.h. Noorden)
Everything is performed with very natural musicality and playfullness. This is no tasteless eclecticism or cheap exotism but classy Jazz music. (Entr'acte)
Lotz Of Music ends up with a statement that is somewhat schizophrenic: at some point its wide ranging proclivities make it kind of diffuse but most of it is extremely fascinating. All the musicians play with great skill and energy throughout. Invigorating and fascinating. (Cadence)
The cultural diversity does not fall apart into a unhomogenous mixture of styles but is presented here as a consistent, organic whole, combined with a pretty sense of humor. (Slagwerkkrant)
This is no jazz with Cuban invluences or vice versa but a beautyfull amalgamation of two styles of music. (Man)
Their interpretations of the religious folklore differ much from common interpretations of Afro Cuban Music: Instead of demonstrating technical powerplay in a tasteless show they manage to perform in a mystical, sacral sphere while the music still maintains the sound of jazz! (Entr'acte)
Sensible virtuosity and disarming sovereignty. As a trendsetter and master of improvisation any 'tittle - tattle' is abandoned. They inspire with arrangements of magic quality. A 'Jazz - horn of plenty' of superior class! (Saarlouiser Rundschau)
After listening to Lotz Of Music the listener is left lots of joy. (Nieuwsblad v.h. Noorden)
Lotz has lots going for him on this record - not the least of which is a genuinely adventurous soul. His backing ensemble is comprised of highly capable players ... . This is a good band, sure to get better; as it is, this is a fine album. (Cadence Magazine July 1998)
The music is as weird as the name. Greatly arranged and original instrumentation. (Fritz Magazine)
World music in the best sense of the word. Remarkably stylish music. (Nieuwsblad v/h Noorden)
This well produced CD confirms the high level of Dutch Jazz Music. (Haarlems Dagblad)
This multi - cultural fusion truly is searching for new limits. A very surprising experience is waiting for you. (Fluit)
'Lotz Of Music' never rests in jazz monotony but delights with a lot of music! (Jazzpodium)
'Puasong Daffriek' captures the attention of the listener from the beginning to the end. A CD for people who like to look beyond the limits of Music. (Brabants Dagblad)
Very thight and marvelously mature. (La Traversiere)
The Music of Lotz Of Music represents the 'state of art' in jazz exploration - that is leading us to the millenium. (Bobby Watson (saxophonist))
Very attractive and varied music. A highly recommendable CD! (Jazzfreak)
Improvising like Picasso. (Utrechts Nieuwsblad)
I was quickly won over! This CD makes for a rewarding listening experience. (Cadence)
An absolutely remarkable discovery! (La Traversière)
Fantasy, sense for colours, drama and playfulness. Hearing this music you become fresh and joyous. It's music to move to! (NRC Handelsblad)
This music is highly international, undogmatic and broadly informed. (Nieuwsblad van het Noorden)
A very intimate and compact album. The clearly intuitive interaction between Lotz and Vogel elevates this CD above the norm. (Leidsch and Haarlems Dagblad)
A lot of passion for playing and a good sense of humour. Even after repeated listening - this CD still captures the atten-tion of the listener. (Jazz Nu)
Seldom heard so much thrilling sounds as with those two inventive musicians! Only a live concert could compete with this stunning experience. (Flute)
Spontaneous improvisations and adventurous interpretations. This CD puts an end to the prejudice around the soft and easy sounding flute. (Trouw)
The delight is in their whispers, song, echoes of the wind and expression in sound. (Bert Noglik)
