Artist: Rembrandt Frerichs Trio, Rembrandt Frerichs, Jos Machtel, Vinsent Planjer Title: The Blue Hour Sessions Year Of Release: 2025 Label: Just Listen Records Genre: Jazz Quality: FLAC (tracks) [44.1kHz/24bit] Total Time: 1:00:04 Total Size: 593 MB Tracklist: 1. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – Smile (05:25) 2. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – Conception (03:55) 3. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – Luiza (03:54) 4. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – Goodbye (06:32) 5. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – September Song (04:59) 6. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – For All We Know (06:50) 7. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – Basin Street Blues (05:13) 8. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – Everything I Love (05:38) 9. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – Detour Ahead (06:19) 10. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – Daydream (06:12) 11. Rembrandt Frerichs Trio – Moonriver (05:02) It is a magical listening experience: There are pieces in the rich, century-old jazz tradition that embrace you from the very first note — as if they’ve always been there. On The Blue Hour Sessions: Audiophile Jazz Recordings, Rembrandt Frerichs’ explores exactly those works that are closest to his heart. But don’t be misled: what may sound familiar at first listen reveals itself as richer, more layered, and more personal with every play. While the repertoire consists of standards from the Great American Songbook — pieces the listener may recognize — the interpretations, true to the Rembrandt Trio’s style, are anything but predictable. These recordings weren’t born from a concept, but from a mood. The inspiration came from The Blue Hour — that magical moment between day and night when the world seems to pause. In photography, it refers to soft blue hues and diffused light; metaphorically, to a time of reflection. Rembrandt and his trio sought to capture exactly that feeling: music that expresses subtlety, that doesn’t shout but whispers. Standards you think you know, but here sound as if revealing themselves to you for the first time. Joining Rembrandt is his long-time partner, drummer Vinsent Planjer, who brings his sensitive, silky percussion, in empathetic connection to the lead Rembrandt creates. Bassist Jos Machtel is new to the group since I last heard them, but his work is sensitive and combines well to the whole. These are seasoned musicians. Their playing is filled with nuance, the occasional wry ironic twist, and ever-present congeniality. Listening to this recording makes me wish to have been with them in the Muziekcentrum van de Omroep in Hilversum, but I am content in joining them from my listening room where I have every sense of them being right with me. Which brings me to the sound of this wonderful recording by the great Jared Sacks. Jared continues to demonstrate why he is the master from whom so many other recording engineers have learned their trade. And he continues to eclipse them all in the utter naturalness he achieves. True to the sensibilities he has demonstrated over many decades and hundreds of recordings, Jared says of this recording: "Hopefully an album for the connoisseur and the dreamer alike. For those who listen with the mind—but especially with the heart." "This is a very special album. Do not wait. Just get it now. If you have any affinity for exceptionally well-played and well-recorded small ensemble jazz, you will love this." (Rushton Paul, positive-feedback.com) Rembrandt Frerichs, piano Jos Machtel, bass Vinsent Planjer, drums