Benjamin Herman
Hypo Christmas Tree Fuzz
Dox Records
www.doxrecords.com
By George W. Harris

Dutch alto saxist Benjamin Herman aptly shows that he’s got chops on this 2cd set of studio and concert material. For the most part here, the two discs cover the same essence of material with the same core of Ernst Glerum/b, Joast Patocka/dr and Anton Goudsmit/g, while the studio has some embellishments with vocals and mellotron. Herman’s tone is edgy and bright as he snaps through intricate pieces like “Brazziman” and the mournful “Blues After Piet.” Other songs like “Kwela P Kwana” and “Een Beetje Zenuwachting” have and indie rock feel to them, with hard to tell just how far the tongue is in the cheek. A bit brash, yet with enough sensitivity and style to make you keep hanging in with it.