Barend Tromp – Odd Time Concepts
“Odd Time Concepts” is the third album by Dutch multi-instrumentalist Barend Tromp. “Odd Time Concepts” is the follow-up to “Six Against Four” (2021) and “Juvenile Fish Tales” (2023). Unlike the two previous albums, there are no vocals on this album, which was present on the first album “Six Against Four,” and this is not a concept album like the second, equally instrumental album “Juvenile Fish Tales” was. Vocals are not missed since there’s already more than enough happening in the complex compositions. This album is also not suitable for background music while cooking your dinner or cleaning your house. “Odd Time Concepts” comes into its own best with headphones on in a comfortable chair with an alcoholic refreshment in one hand and a Cuban cigar in the other.
The music Barend creates is far from commercial but made for a niche audience. “Odd Time Concepts” is released by the independent record label 7D Media, founded by guitarist Trey Gunn, who is best known for his years in the progressive rock band King Crimson. Barend eats, drinks, sleeps and lives music. He started as a classical guitarist and graduated from the conservatory in 1996. From age 15, he began playing in bands and composing his music. Guitarists like Frank Zappa, Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew and Jeff Beck are his biggest influences. Besides acoustic and electric guitar, Barend also plays 12-string acoustic guitar and fretless guitar.
His guitar playing can also be heard in his bass playing. Besides 4- and 6-string bass, he also enjoys playing fretless bass. Bassists who inspire Barend include Mick Karn, Stanley Clarke, Les Claypool, Jaco Pastorius and Tony Levin. As if all this wasn’t enough, Barend is also a virtuoso sitar player. Listening to old Ravi Shankar albums from his grandfather, he decides to learn this instrument too. This results in an intensive study of Indian classical music. Not only that, Barend travels to India for six months, where he receives daily lessons from various ‘great’ sitar players. In recent years, he’s been trying to incorporate this Indian classical music into different musical styles and groups. This is most clearly heard in the music he makes with his brother, Maarten, in the underground dance act BMI Goes India.
The Tromp brothers are now also assisted by an Indian classical singer with the difficult name Vasudevan Lakshminarayan. There are even plans to tour India. “Odd Time Concepts” contains 11 instrumental tracks featuring time signatures ranging from the familiar 3/4 to more complex ones like 13/16 and 21/8. The album features no fewer than four guest drummers. Ron van Stratum plays on “Gamelan Sepuluh” and “Pandrah Ka Yantra.” Eugene Vugts on “Heavy Slap.”
Progressive rock legend Pat Mastelotto plays on “Thirteen.” Fellow musician Nathan van de Wouw, with whom Barend played in Lemur Voice, drums on “Sitharsis” and “Baritone War.” Label owner Trey Gunn plays a magnificent guitar solo on “Madhuvanti.” Barend is responsible for all other instruments heard on “Odd Time Concepts.” He also wrote all the songs and mixed the album. The album is mastered by Michael Valentine. Brother Maarten, who also creates and designs the covers for BMI Goes India, is responsible for the artwork. Despite the complex song structures, “Odd Time Concepts” is remarkably accessible with emphasis on strong grooves and clarity. Conclusion: do yourself and Barend a favour and download or buy this album on Bandcamp or via 7D Media. (8/10) (7D Media)
