Derek Plays Eric
A Suite Of Soaps
On their second album, Berlin-based trio DEREK PLAYS ERIC once again negotiates nothing less than the boundaries between jazz, free improvisation and rock,between the avant-garde and the accessible and familiar in a way that is as intelligent as it is emotional and unique.Whether by complex and sonically drastic means like in the seven-part 'Suite Of Soaps' by Andreas Willers or through the unorthodox processing of exciting templates by jazz greats Dave Holland and Paul Motian, the little soul gem 'Space Captain' made famous by Joe Cocker (on 'Mad Dogs & Englishmen') and more recently by Herbie Hancock, and brilliant interpretations from the oeuvre of the legendary bands Gentle Giant ('Cogs In Cogs' from the album 'The Power And The Glory') and The Beatles ('I Want You' from 'Abbey Road'). This is made possible by the kindred interplay of a well-rehearsed trio that is able to bypass the musical and tonal challenges of this concept in no time with technical finesse, compelling intuition and explosive empathy