At Ruta Maya Cafe, Austin

Kollektief celebrated the 32nd anniversary last year with yet another big tour of the U.S., playing jazz clubs and concert halls throughout the land. This truly hard-working (9-piece) ensemble added a guest for this gig in Austin, Texas, with Alex Coke on tenor sax. This delightful 77+ minute disc features mostly compositions from Mr. Breuker plus a couple of covers from Anton Vivaldi and Gigi Gryce. "Walking Trouble" opens with great blend of Euro modern jazz, old-school swinging and infectious circus-like joviality. This band swings hard, is tight and always sounds as if they and the audience are having a great time. This live recording has superb sound and is perfectly balanced so we can hear the rich harmonies and inspired playing of all members of this ensemble. Mr. Breuker's composing is quite diverse, consistently changing and this keeps his ensemble on their toes as the breeze through great pieces, often taking a number of inspired solos. Everyone in the band gets a chance to stretch out and take strong solos. What I find most marvelous is the way band plays behind each soloist, always providing perfect support. You would think that after thirty years and about the same amount of recordings that the Kollektief's inspiration would dry-up, but now way! They continue to sail high and wide and travel the world, bringing their inspired spirits to all hip enough to lend them an ear.