Human – Spook
A busy man, this Marijn Ooijman. He is a music journalist, has worked as a booker and tour manager for, among others, Michael Dots, Kyla Brox and Timo Gross, is active in local politics and appears on stage as a singer and guitarist with his self-composed songs. In 2001, he released his first album with his band Spook, entitled “Colors”. An album that was received positively across the board. It has taken a while, an understatement, but after 25 years, the second album has now appeared under the title “Human”.
The band consists partly of old members and new faces. Alongside Marijn (vocals, guitar), Spook now includes guitarist Jeffrey Hurkens, bassist Pieter Wielaard, percussionist Armein Broer van Dijk, drummer Robbert Plette and keyboardist Reinier Groenendijk. The guest musicians include well-known names such as Roel Spanjers, Tom Veltien, Leif de Leeuw, Sem Jansen, AJ Plug and Big Bo. The album was recorded at the latter’s Natural Records Studio. The new album “Human” contains nine songs written by Marijn.
The selection is nicely varied. Rock, pop, blues, jazz, it’s all there. The opening is the lively “Help Me”, featuring a fine guitar solo by Jeffrey Hurkens. This is followed by the genuine blues shuffle “The Last Train”, with Bo on harmonica. “Straight To Hell” seems to begin as a country song and ends with a jazzy sax solo. The title track “Human” looks back on life and tells of things the protagonist, in hindsight, would rather have done differently. Well, who does not have those experiences? Also very fine is the contribution by Leif de Leeuw on slide and baritone guitar and Sem Jansen on acoustic guitar in “Movie Girl”. The album closes with the sensitive ballad “Dreamin’ Flow”, enhanced by the beautiful violin playing of the Australian Melissa Cox.
The conclusion: “Human” is a more than excellent album. Nine strong songs, very varied, ranging from lively, cheerful melodies to thoughtful ballads. Fine work. (8/10) (Independent release)
