Various Artists | Anthology of Dutch Electronic Tape Music Vol. 2

This second and last volume of the Anthology of Electronic Tape Music contains works composed after 1966, during a period when electronic music broadened its horizons and established links with other disciplines, a period when the studios opened their portals to influences and involvement from outside. Although electronic music from 1966 onwards became very fragmented and manifested itself in many different forms in Holland, the present volume of the Anthology aims merely to give an overall picture of pure tape music. The other movements, such as computer music, and their links with one another are however discussed in detail in the notes. We have also been selective in the choice of works, in that we have tried to find works that were the first of their kind as well as being, if at all possible, among the composer’s first electronic pieces. Volume II therefore presents composers not represented in the first volume. It should be emphasized, however, that many of the composers whose early works are included in Volume I have also done important work in the field of electronic music since 1966.

CD | 3091 832

Various Artists | Anthology of Dutch Electronic Tape Music Vol. 1

Anthology of Dutch Electronic Tape Music Volume 1 Electronic music has been the subject of intense activity in the Netherlands since 1955, and the variety of this activity is reflected in the histories of the large number of electronic studios. The aim of Anthology I is to illustrate both the work of the various studios and that of individual composers; we have tried to represent as many composers from each studio as possible with preferably their earliest and most characteristic works. The majority are exercises and étude-like pieces. In Holland, as in other countries, it was mainly tape music for concerts that was produced until 1966. After that date electronic music expanded: advanced computer techniques were developed, live electronic music received more attention, electronic music penetrated into conservatory and university syllabuses, and above all private studios were set up by and for groups of improvising musicians. The year 1966, the watershed in the history of Dutch electronic music, accordingly marks the limit of this collection: Volume I is built around tape music from 1955 to 1966, and Volume II documents tape music from the ‘open studios’ from 1966 to 1978.

CD | 3091 822

Raymond Scott | This Time with Strings

Raymond Scott (1908-1994), who was both musician and inventor, musically re-invented eleven of his compositions for full orchestra and strings on the 1957 album THIS TIME WITH STRINGS. It is now being released as part of Basta's Essential Reissue Series -- the first time the album has appeared on CD. Many of these tunes were originally recorded by Scott's novelty jazz six-man Quintette in the late 1930s; others date from the 1940s and '50s. All get a spectacular makeover under the baton of the legendary maestro. THIS TIME WITH STRINGS contains some of Scott's most famous works, including Quintette favorites "Powerhouse," "The Toy Trumpet," and "Twilight in Turkey," retooled for expanded setting. "There are many of the old Quintette things in this LP," said the composer in the original liner notes. "Also some older things for dance band, material written for Broadway and the screen, and some of my more recent writing. Indeed, a potpourri given Hi-Fidelity dressing, and a certain vividness in string treatment." The CD booklet includes the complete original liner notes by jazz historian Burt Korall. The album was recorded in glorious monophonic sound, which is retained on CD. No artificial processing. Crank up the Hi-Fi!

CD | 3091 872

Dave Harris & The Powerhouse Five | Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals

Dave Harris played tenor sax in Raymond Scott's legendary late 1930s six-man "Quintette." Over a long career as a sought-after session musician in New York and L.A., Harris (1913-2002) released only one record as a bandleader. That was DINNER MUSIC FOR A PACK OF HUNGRY CANNIBALS in 1958, and it was a tribute to his old boss, for whom he held deep respect. Harris and the Powerhouse Five recaptured the manic elegance and rhythmic wit of twelve classic Scott tunes. Nostalgia was the inspiration, but sharp musicianship and a celebratory gusto mark this album as a missing link in the Scott legacy. Basta presents the first CD reissue of this long out of print album. When Raymond Scott organized his Quintette, he recruited CBS Radio Orchestra compatriot Harris. The group was short-lived--in 1939, Scott expanded the group into a swing orchestra. However, the original RSQ created a sensation during its brief existence, and left a lasting impact on music history. Scott composed "portraits in music," programmatic novelties with eccentric titles like "War Dance for Wooden Indians," "Reckless Night on Board an Ocean Liner," and "In an 18th Century Drawing Room." A dozen tunes from this group's repertoire were later adapted by Warner Bros. music director Carl Stalling in hundreds of classic Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. Thus was the RSQ's legacy--quite apart from the bandleader's own efforts--preserved for future generations. One title, "Powerhouse," has become a staple of cartoon fare, having been used in The Simpsons, Ren & Stimpy, and Animaniacs, as well as in 40 anarchic WB shorts and several major motion pictures. In addition to leading a succession of orchestras, Scott composed a Broadway musical in 1946, conducted orchestra on TV's Your Hit Parade in the 1950s, and was a pioneer in electronic music development. But in late-life interviews, he professed that his 1937-39 Quintette was his favorite band. That opinion was doubtless shared by Harris, who always spoke fondly of working under Scott. Such was Harris's affection for this band that in 1958 he organized a sextet, called his sidemen the Powerhouse Five, and recorded an album of RSQ favorites in modern high fidelity. After the RSQ, Harris remained with Scott's first swing band, then compiled an impressive resume as a session player on radio and TV, and in the recording studio. In a career that extended into the 1970s, he worked with Billie Holiday, Gene Krupa, Eddie Cantor, Mickey Katz, Stan Webb, Russ Case, Bob Haggart and countless others. As a director with a musical pedigree, Harris, on Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals, maintains the high standards set by his old boss, recapturing the spunk, energy, and humor of the original RSQ. While there's an obvious element of nostalgia at play, don't underestimate the joyfulness and craftsmanship of these performances.

CD | 3091 892

Mirabal & Klaasse | Cadencia

Cadancia is the second cd by the Dutch-Cuban-Haitian duo Sandra Mirabal and Jakob Klaasse. On their first cd, Danzas and Contradanzas from 19th Century Cuba, they perform songs by Cuban composers Cervantes and Saumell on clarinet and piano. For this second cd they brought their musical friends over to the recording studio and recorded popular Haitian and Cuban songs from the time of Marthe Jean-Claude (1919-2001). Marthe Jean-Claude is known as the Grand Lady of Haitian Music; she is also Sandra Mirabal’s mother. Sandra sings famous songs from the repertoire of her mother as well as popular Cuban songs from that era. Mostly swinging, rhythmical songs which sometimes, even though old compositions, sound surprisingly modern.

CD | 3091 682

Groningen Guitar Duo | The Body of Your Dreams

Between 1988 and 2005 Jacob ter Veldhuis (aka JacobTV) composed 5 pieces for the Groninngen Guitar Duo (Remco de Haan and Erik Westerfhof). De compositions were drawn up in close collaboration with the duo and demonstrate a good picture of Ter Velhuis’ development as a composer, showcasing influences by rock and jazz, world music, minimal music as well as Spanish Guitar music. The Groningen Guitar Duo has been a well known duo for over 25 years, on both national and international stages. They have performed at Carnegie Hall, Bunka Kaikan, Purcell Room and The Concertgebouw.

CD | 3091 922

Theo Nijland | Masterclass

Masterclass is Nijland's 4th solo cd. The cd contains the songs from his same-titled theatershow and was recorded 'semi-live': in a proffessionial studio but with an audience. Nijland at the piano, accompanied by a band. As we know from Theo, the songs vary from light uptempo to sarcastic to pure instrumental, and even a classical minuet with lyrics. If you liked Praag and Jij, you will love this cd as well! Recensie Volkskrant: Theo Nijland bakent op zijn nieuwste cd zijn muzikale terrein degelijk af. In Eigenlijk mag ik nergens over zingen, waarin hij het recept voor vissoep uit een Frans kookboek op muziek heeft gezet, haalt hij de adoratie voor het Franse chanson (en Wende Snijders) onderuit, omdat iedereen zo gewichtig naar teksten luistert die vrijwel niemand begrijpt. In Evita laat hij geen spaan heel van de nepemoties van de opgeklopte musical, en in Wat een leuk liedje krijgen homoseksuele zangers op hun duvel die heel onwaarachtig over de liefde voor een vrouw zingen. Blijven over de uit duizenden herkenbare stem en de hoekige melodielijnen, die soms elastisch worden opgerekt en dan weer hard worden afgekapt om tekst en muziek op een lijn te krijgen. Door overbelasting was Nijland zijn stem een tijdje kwijt, juist toen hij de semi-live cd wilde afronden. Daardoor zijn een paar nummers instrumentaal gebleven. Jammer, want zijn liedjes zijn pas compleet met zijn stem en vriendelijk-cynische tekst erbij.

CD | 3091 812

Tom Dissevelt, Kid Baltan, Henk Badings and Dick Raaijmakers | Popular Electronics Vinyl Singles Collection

In 2004, the Netherlands-based Basta label released Popular Electronics - Early Dutch Electronic Music from Philips Research Laboratories. The four-CD (and seven-booklet) box set meticulously chronicled the pioneering electronica that Henk Badings, Tom Dissevelt, and Dick Raaijmakers recorded for Philips between 1956 and 1963. Since these recordings had originally been released on vinyl, collectors petitioned Basta for a vinyl edition.
 
After consulting with Dick Raaijmakers, Basta decided to re-release, in a numbered limited edition of 1000, only the four original Philips monophonic singles by Badings, Baltan and Dissevelt, with exact replicas of the original labels and sleeves. The discs are packaged in an elegant red velvet collectors box accompanied by an inlay sleeve on which is printed the serial number. This sleeve can be attached to the inside cover of the box, or stored in the box with the singles.
 
The original 7" releases, which date from 1956 to 1961, are extremely rare and highly collectible. Kid Baltan's "Song of the Second Moon" was only ever available as a Philips promo gift. A few of these singles were reissued by Philips in the 1960s with different labels and covers. However, the Basta editions feature the first-run artwork in every respect.
 
As stated, there are only 1000 numbered copies. After these are sold out, there will be no additional production of this set.
 
Exclusive North American distribution through Forced Exposure: www.ForcedExposure.com

Vinyl single | 3090 551

Vincent Bijlo | Met de Bijlo's

(CD in Dutch language)

De liedjes op Met De Bijlo's voeren de luisteraar langs alle stemmingen. Van het melancholieke Heimwee tot het spottende Vroeger, van het voor zijn vrouw geschreven Het Licht, tot het introspectieve Duister. Van het langzaam rockende de Maan, waarin hij stelt dat de maan is bedacht door een Amerikaan, tot het ontroerende Jij Bent Nog Steeds… dat hij schreef in herinnering aan zijn vader.

Het zijn dertien zeer persoonlijke liedjes, geschreven en gespeeld door één man.

Op de vraag of de Bijlo’s ook live gaan spelen antwoordt Bijlo: “ik heb vier ledematen en een mond, ik kan dus vijf instrumenten tegelijk. Nee, zonder gekheid, ik heb voor de liveconcerten een aantal klonen van mezelf laten maken.”

CD | 3091 842

Geert Chatrou | Ornithology

Geert Chatrou is a professional whistler. And not just another one. He won the world championship 2 times.

In 2005, Basta released his first album Chatroubadour, a heavy partnership with the band Ocobar. This album received nothing but good critics and the music was used in countless documentaries and tv-commercials.

Now this second album takes you through a much wider variety of musical styles, from jazz to klezmer to classic to pop. Several pieces were composed especially for Chatrou’s virtuoso whistling by well known Dutch composers. Additionally to the 90 minutes of music, the second disc contains a short animation as well as a documentary, both viewable on a computer.

2CD | 3091 692

Vincent Bijlo | Kort door de Bocht

“De voeten van de Nederlanders worden steeds groter. Hun tenen steeds langer. Je kan geen stap meer verzetten, of je gaat er wel op een paar staan. Toch blijf ik lopen, dwars tussen al die opgeblazen voeten door. In mijn nieuwe voorstelling loop ik zonder omhaal recht op mijn doel af, kort door de bocht. Geen loos geroep, geen holle vaten, maar duidelijke taal. Ik zal proberen de steeds dieper en breder wordende kloof tussen de mensen te dichten. Nederland is immers vol van wij-zij-denkers, en daar moeten jullie nou maar eens mee ophouden, jullie, zienden. Alles in dit land is namelijk de schuld van de zienden. Ik zal zingen over de vader, die ik niet meer heb, de kinderen, die ik niet heb, de vrouw die ik heb en de idealen die ik ook nog steeds heb. Het wordt respect, liefde en vrede, in deze voorstelling, maar dan niet soft. Dat kan. Als je wilt weten hoe, loop dan met me mee, kort door de bocht.”

Bijlo, de koning van de ongenuanceerde nuance.

DVD | 3091 852

Raymond Scott | Ectoplasm

Ectoplasm is the first-ever CD presenting Scott's second Quintet, which recorded in 1948-49. Like its groundbreaking 1937-39 predecessor chronicled on 2003's Microphone Music, this "quintet" had six members, but unlike the original RSQ, this band didn't create music associated with cartoons.

Although the 1948-49 band sounds like quintessential Raymond Scott, it did not resort to a nostalgic aping of the first RSQ. The usual Scott trademarks abound: wit, sophistication, and a touch of eccentricity. Like the first, the second RSQ is complex and hyperactive, with an undercurrent of wry mischief, befitting the band's namesake. Both RSQ's were known for swirling horns, muted trumpet, and daredevil tempos. The style could be termed "parlor jazz," or "chamber swing"—breezy and cerebral.

As a composer, Scott moved away from his quirky novelties of the late 1930s and progressed in a more challenging direction. However, he still liked painting "portraits in music." The unusual album title refers to a spooky Scott work evoking a "voice from the beyond." Other Scott originals on the album are "Street Corner in Paris," "Snake Woman," "Bird Life in the Bronx," "Good Listening," "Curley Cue," and "Question Mark." In addition, Scott goes lunar with his visionary opus "Dedicatory Piece to the Crew and Passengers of the First Experimental Rocket Express to the Moon."

The album includes jazzed-up arrangements of the light classics "Humoresque" and "Song of India," and over a dozen Tin Pan Alley standards which clock in at less than two minutes each. These miniatures — including such standards as "Blue Skies," "I'll See You in My Dreams," and "How High the Moon" — were intended as radio program interludes. They demonstrate Scott's skill as an editor, distilling the essence of these songs in compressed form. Tunes like "Honeysuckle Rose," and "You're the Cream in My Coffee" were dolled up to affirm Scott's musical identity, with the melodies respected. Scott seemed to prefer jazz in service to composition rather than the other way around. That said, he took his share of liberties as a composer by integrating original intros and bridges that re-invent these relics with an unmistakable Scott spirit.

CD | 3091 572

The Beau Hunks | On to the Show

Finally available - the Beau Hunks' definite recordings of Leroy Shield's film tunes

The Amsterdam-based "documentary orchestra" The Beau Hunks was originally founded to recreate the toe-tapping melodies from the Hal Roach shorts of the 1930s -- the Laurel & Hardy, Our Gang, Charley Chase, Thelma Todd and Taxi Boys series. This music, although familiar to all, was never commercially released by the studios and the original recordings are presumed lost. Over the years, several attempts were made at recreating the tunes: Robert Crumb and his Cheap Suit Serenaders in the '70s, Ronnie Hazlehurst in the '80s and Vince Giordano in the '90s. It was the Beau Hunks, however, who finally gave the stock music of Leroy Shield its due in a series of albums released between 1992 and 2000. Detective work, top-of-the-bill musicianship, scholarship, vintage instruments, acoustic recording and note-for-note transcriptions combined in quality albums generating rave reviews and prestigious awards.
In their third album "On to the Show", first released on the American KOCH label in 1995, these qualities reached an artistic peak. Produced by Gert-Jan Blom and Piet Schreuders, The Beau Hunks provide swinging versions of dance tunes such as "Streamline Susie" and "Let's Face It"; short mood pieces like "Colonel Buckshot" en "Hollywood Kate"; thrill and hurry cues like "The Villain", "Go Get Him" and "Confusion"; the semi-classical "Cascadia" and the romantic "Early Morning". The album contains a total of 50 tracks, all of which were composed by Leroy Shield.
BASTA is proud to present a rerelease of this album which has been hard to find for many years. The detailed program notes were updated and the package redesigned by Piet Schreuders.

"I loved it .. it triggered off a very beautiful sentimental chord in my soul." -- BRIAN WILSON

CD | 3091 592