Très rare ! Another extremely rare Belgian LP

THE CLOUDS
Nederlandse Pocketplaat - NPP 6006, Belgium – 1966

“Très très rare.  Un guitariste à découvrir sur ce disque introuvable, des compositions très intéressantes.  Fortement recommandé.” (website of Paris Jazz Corner)

An album I found some 40 years ago on Brussels’ Vieux Marché (Flea Market).  The Clouds (not to be confused with the UK prog-folk band that recorded a couple of LPs on Island) was an off-shoot of the BRT Jazz Orkest.  They recorded this obscure LP and an even rarer 45 rpm EP

This LP sees the band exploring a repertoire of traditional Flemish and Afrikaans folksongs and re-arranging them for jazz interpretation.  It could be called Chamber Jazz but some arrangements are fairly advanced and the result is strangely compelling.  It doesn’t sound like anything else I’ve heard.  Frans L’Eglise displays a strong influence of Paul Desmond but then a song like “Nooi van die velde” (an Afrikkans traditional song) would not be out of place on a compilation of obscure spiritual jazz.  In a country – and time – that produced records such as those of the Brussels Art Quintet, Babs Robert & the Love Planet or Raphael, everything was possible.

Brussels ' s Flea Market - Place du Jeu de Balles / Vossenplein

And then, there is the great Freddy Sunder on guitar, another unsung hero of Belgian Jazz, better known as a TV variety shows entertainer in the 60s and a pioneer of Belgian novelty Boogie / pre-Rock & Roll in the 50s (on the legendary Ronnex label).

Freddy Sunder

Probably because of his rarity outside of Belgium, this record seems to have escaped the radar of most collectors.  Is it because all the titles are in Dutch or Afrikaans?

Be adventurous and give this strange but beautiful album a listen. 

Tracks

A1.  Cecilia

A2.  Schoon lief

A3.  Twee koningskinderen

A4.  Nooi van die velde

B1.  Vier weverkens

B2.  Sneewwit vogeltje

B3.  Island bedroefde kust

B4.  Heer Halewijn

Muzikanten:

Armand Van De Walle (drums, klokkenspel)

Clem De Maeyer (contrabas)

Frans L'Eglise (altsaxofoon)

Freddy Sunder (gitaar)

Jean Evans (piano)

Johnny Scott (fluit)

Techniek / opname: Paul Leponce

The Clouds discography:

• The Clouds - Vinyl LP album – 1966 - Nederlandse Pocketplaat - NPP 6006

• The Clouds EP - Vinyl 7'' EP – Year ? - BRT - 10 136

n.b. the personnel is slightly different on the EP :

 Armand Van De Walle (drums)

 Charlie Knegtel (trompet)

 Clem De Maeyer (contrabas)

 Freddy Sunder (gitaar)

 Herman Sandy (trompet)

 Willy Albimoor (klavecimbel)

If anyone has this EP, I’d be very interested in getting and posting a rip

(info on the EP comes from here)