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Michael Moore - alto sax, clarinet, whistles, maracas & compositions
Guillermo Celano - electric guitar
Omer Govreen - acoustic bass
Onno Govaert - drums & percussion
The rather presumptuous title, the ‘Universe’ quartet, has to do with this quartet music being an exploration of my universe. It's a repertoire band, these guys are ready and willing to play anything I give them, and I am grateful for that. My intent is, rather than break new ground, to explore older forms and make enjoyable music. The advantage of being DIY one's whole life is that you have total freedom from commercial pressures; I can follow my muse anywhere, and this is where it has taken me! — Michael Moore, 2026 Notes Disc A. Listen! was written shortly after the passing of the larger-than-life South African saxophonist Sean Bergin, who was a key figure in the Amsterdam music landscape for forty years and a great inspiration. Louisiana is a slow, sultry waltz, perhaps not quite as hot and humid as New Orleans in the summertime. China Camp is named after a gorgeous spot on San Francisco Bay in Marin County, California. Estalido means 'clicking' in Portuguese, 'burst' in Spanish. Fascination is a very old piece which was often played by Available Jelly on the Leidseplein in Amsterdam back when there was music in the streets. Skimming started out as a light, airy set of gestures, but somehow evolved into something darker. Tinto is a bolero with a text by Valerie van Straaten. Unfortunately none of us can sing. Spiros is a portrait of a character in Carson McCuller's fabulous book 'The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.' Project 88 was written enroute to my pianist father Jerry's 88th birthday celebration. Buon Giorno is a short story about daily life, with repeats, ups and downs, something we all experience. Keftoo is just a short riff, for writer extraordinaire Kevin Whitehead. Trouble House I often introduce as a Bob Dylan song that I wrote. Disc B. Shine is just pure, shimmering optimism. Brethren is another old Available Jelly groove. Eve is evocative of crepuscule. Spooky is just a spooky, meandering melodic line. Top Secret is a reworking of the old standard 'Secret Love.' I'm a Workin' Man is another very old piece which I still cannot play properly. Chain Saw is about when it's time to trim some olive trees. Klee was suggested by the paintings of Paul Klee. Pigeons is another piece inspired by the cooing of doves in the Alentejo. The Card Players is a recent polyrhythmic romp. Rural Root was inspired by the country piano artistry of Floyd Cramer. Trippin' — we hope you have enjoyed this musical trip! Reviews "California-born, Amsterdam-based reeds wiz and composer, Michael Moore, has been a member of the ICP Orchestra for many years and has led several different bands and projects since moving to the Netherlands more than three decades ago. Mr. Moore's label, Ramboy Recordings, has long documented his various ongoing bands and this is their 41st release. Mr. Moore calls this band the Universe Quartet, not because the members come from different places but because this disc and band cover Moore's varied musical universes. South American guitarist, Guillermo Celano, has a couple of discs as a group leader from 2014 in which Moore was a member. Bassist Omer Govreen was in a band led by Ziv Taubenfeld, whose disc on Clean Feed also featured Moore as a member. Drummer Onno Govaert can be found on more than a dozen discs with John Dikeman (in Cactus Truck) and with Kaja Draksler. Disc A is subtitled 'Universe #1' and consists of 13 pieces, all under 6 minutes. “Listen”, the title track opens and was inspired by South African-born, Amsterdam-based saxist Sean Bergin, who had just passed away just prior to this session. The main repeating riff has a most infectious sound, like a ray of sunlight shining through on a cloudy day. Both Mr. Celano on guitar and Mr. Moore on alto sax take delightful, uplifting solos here. “Louisiana” is a lovely ballad with a waltz-like structure. The vibe is laid back, exquisite and haunting. The oddly titled “Death's Head Hawk Moth” shifts between charted and somewhat freer sections and has a bluesy undertow and features a great jazz/blues guitar solo. The interplay between the sax and guitar and the rhythm team is quite special throughout. On “China Camp”, Moore's superb tone on alto reminds me of Lee Konitz but perhaps a bit more soulful. “Estalido” is an eerie, ghost-like piece with some lush, haunting clarinet by Moore. “Skimming” starts out as a dreamy piece in slow motion, with the clarinet and guitar playing the theme together like ghosts waltzing tenderly. Moore calls his song “Trouble House” a Bob Dylan song that he wrote himself and it does sound like one of those enchanting Dylan melodies. There are some 25 songs on this two CD set and every one is a gem. It has been a couple of years since Michael Moore released a new CD on his label and this two CD set captures Mr. Moore and his wonderful quartet at their best. More than two hours of excellence." Bruce Lee Gallanter/Downtown Music Gallery The Deceptive Depth Lurking Within Michael Moore's Universe Quartet Peter Margasak/Looking Closer to Hear More, August 31, 2026 Michael Moore Universe Quartet – Listen! (Nederlands) Cyriel Pluimakers/Jazzenzo |
