Talking Cows is a Dutch jazz quartet, founded in 2004, consisting of saxophonist Frans Vermeerssen, pianist Robert Jan Vermeulen, bassist Dion Nijland and drummer Yonga Sun. Dairy Tales, their second CD, was received with enthusiasm in various Dutch newspapers, jazz magazines and websites. And rightly so, because Talking Cows can safely be called an asset to Dutch jazz. In a mix of own compositions
… and a piece by Misha Mengelberg, the group brings a pleasant combination of neo-bop, soul jazz, gospel and more free jazz. The CD carries a pleasant “don't talk, just play!” Approach, comparable to that of Benjamin Herman. Frans Vermeerssen gets a strong sound from his tenor saxophone, but also knows how to handle the higher register and with that combination is reminiscent of the playing of David Murray. Dairy Tales is a nice CD by a band that is undoubtedly also worth seeing live. (HB)more