Udo Pannekeet - Electric Regions (2019)

Udo Pannekeet is the current bassist for the legendary Dutch
progressive rock band Focus, featuring original members Thijs
van Leer (flute, vocals, keyboards) and Pierre van der Linden
(drums). On this album the bassist goes for the gusto, supported
by an extensive lineup, where jazz rock, fusion and modern jazz
concepts co-align, most noticeably on the opening and
adrenaline-charged long-form composition "Electric Regions Part
One," which is basically the album's tour de force.

Drummer Marcel Serierse kicks off "Electric Regions Part One"
with a snappy beat, accented by his ringing snare drum and
underscored by the leader's melodic, yet impacting lines. With
ascending horn choruses, whispery flute lines and simmering
developments, the ensemble builds upon layers amid a soaring
swing vamp and alternating themes, complete with Pannekeet's
mystical voice overlays. They also cast semblances of a dark,
faraway place, complemented by one of the five listed
guitarist's shady volume control effects and the soloists'
sonorous phrasings. It's akin to a multipart suite as
Pannekeet's vision also includes Afro-Cuban pulses, rowdy blues
rock motifs, synth-laden melodies and up-tempo percussion
grooves. Essentially, the musicians sustain a high-level of
interest via this busy but productive oeuvre that steamrolls
ahead with capricious flows and an anthem-like closeout.

The second track "Integration Yes" boasts a Weather Report type
groove, complete with Nils van Halften's emotive soprano sax
phrasings and the bassist's undulating Jaco Pastorious style
underpinnings. During the final two works, fiery guitar licks,
rolling synth bass parts and turbulent cadences continue,
affording several soloists to stretch out. Moreover, the
audiophile recording quality abets this largely mesmeric
presentation that illustrates the bassist's insightful
compositional tendencies and other positive characteristics.