Vinsent Planjer’s Natural Selection: The Complete First Season – A Jazz Odyssey from the Netherlands
If you’re into jazz that feels like it’s been brewed in a smoky underground club but somehow still smells fresh, Vinsent Planjer’s Natural Selection: The Complete First Season is your jam. Self-released under his own label (because who needs gatekeepers anyway?), this Dutch masterpiece is packed with grooves so smooth they might just slide right off your brain if you’re not paying attention. And trust me, you’ll want to pay attention.
The album brings together some serious talent—Guus Bakker on bass guitar, Efraim Trujillo blowing saxophones like nobody’s business, and Rembrandt Frerichs tickling those piano keys like they owe him money. Oh, and let’s not forget Vinsent himself, laying down beats on drums that feel both primal and polished at the same time. It’s an ensemble effort that hits all the right notes without trying too hard to impress anyone—which makes it even better.
Standout Tracks That Stick
Now, I gotta shout out two tracks here because they’ve been stuck in my head like gum on a hot sidewalk. First up, “Walking On Eggshells.” Man, this one sneaks up on you. At first, it’s all chill vibes, with Miro Herák’s vibraphone shimmering like sunlight through cracked blinds. But then Efraim Trujillo comes in with his tenor sax, and suddenly you’re no longer walking—you’re floating. Or maybe stumbling? Either way, it’s impossible not to feel something deep when that melody kicks in. You know how sometimes music can make you nostalgic for moments you haven’t even lived yet? Yeah, that’s this track.
Then there’s “Sleeping Through The Apocalypse,” which sounds exactly as wild as its title suggests. The opening riff grabs you by the collar and says, “Hey, wake up!” Joeri Saal did wonders recording and mixing this thing—it’s crisp, punchy, and layered enough to keep you guessing what’s coming next. Is it Guus Bakker’s basslines keeping things grounded or Vinsent’s drumming pushing everything forward? Honestly, it’s hard to tell, but that’s the magic of it. By the end, you’re left wondering whether you’d rather sleep through the apocalypse or dance your way through it.
Why This Album Matters
What sets Natural Selection apart isn’t just the technical brilliance (though Darius van Helfteren’s mastering deserves a medal). It’s the vibe. This isn’t jazz for show-offs; it’s jazz for people who appreciate the little imperfections—the cracks where the light gets in. Sure, the album has its share of complexity, but it never feels like it’s trying to prove anything. Instead, it invites you to sit back, listen closely, and let the music do its thing.
And here’s the kicker: halfway through listening, I realized this album doesn’t just sound like jazz—it feels like evolution. Like every note was chosen by natural selection itself, weeding out the weak and leaving only the strongest survivors. Weird thought, right? Maybe that’s why Vinsent named it that way. Or maybe he just liked the ring of it. Who knows?
So yeah, give Natural Selection: The Complete First Season a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing vibraphones in your dreams.
