Even in the wildly eclectic ICP catalog, this 66th release stands out. Absent are the ‘3 T’s’ (Tristan Honsinger, Tobias Delius, Thomas Heberer); instead, you get familiar guests (Joris Roelofs and Terrie Ex) and the musical direction of ICP co-founder Han Bennink. And then there is the setting: Le Brocope, a gallery, music venue, caférestaurant situated in a tiny village in Holland’s far North. An inspiring location that takes up a central role on Komen & Gaan. The ensemble begins by airing out the place and then explores areas that might sound vaguely familiar yet never settle for easy formulas. For every nod to the Ellington/Strayhorn-tradition (see the different versions of Glerum’s swaying “De Linkerschoen, De Rechterschoen”), there is a tour of the premises - with crucial support from dogs and a pianola - and a handful of small line-ups. The combination of ‘Gu’ and ‘Ter’ is one you are not likely to forget. After the tighter format of De Hondemepper, for which the ICP Tentet worked with a contemporary ensemble, the reigns were loosened for Komen & Gaan. What could have become a mess in the hands of lesser musicians is turned into a refreshing combination of discipline and spontaneity that keeps the legacy of the late Misha Mengelberg alive while giving it another subversive twist. Hovering between wide-eyed playfulness and goodnatured mutiny, Komen & Gaan is nothing less than prime ICP.

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TRACK LISTING
1. Lucht 4.24
2. Sound of Music 0.33
3. De Linkerschoen, De Rechterschoen 1 3.06
4. Komen en Gaan 1 4.49
5. MaGuTer 3.27
6. Kiksaus 3.13
7. GuTer 4.13
8. Pianola Potpourri 5.34
9. Kroket 3.09
10. Komen en Gaan 2 2.49
11. HaAbTer 4.47
12. GuJo 3.44
13. Komen en Gaan 3 5.49
14. MiTer 4.47
15. Komen en Gaan 4 5.09
16. De Linkerschoen, De Rechterschoen 2 3.06

total 63.29

All music instant composed by ICP Septet, Joris Roelofs and Terrie Ex except De Linkerschoen, De Rechterschoen by Ernst Glerum, Kroket by Misha Mengelberg arranged by Michael Moore. Musical direction Han Bennink. Recorded by Marc Schots at Le Brocope, Oldeberkoop October 10th & 11th 2020. Mixed and edited by Marc Schots. Mastered by Micha de Kanter. Artwork by Han Bennink. Liner notes by Mara Eijsbouts. Graphic design by Emma Fischer.