Maarten Altena Octet & Nonet, Quick Step (side A)

Dutch bassist Maarten Altena assembled these groups to play 7 of his chamber jazz compositions. The references to jazz are more in the rhythm and tonality than the use of improvisation—the compositional structures are prominently featured here. Guus Jansen's percussive piano is prominently featured, especially on the tracks without a drummer, and I'm always partial to the use of traditional/ethnic double reed instruments (Maud Sauer plays shehnai here). The strangest thing about the album might be that Altena's bass is barely audible in the very bright mix/master. Quick Step features recordings from 1984-85 and was released in 1986.