Blog Archives

The Crown & Lobster Trilogy Part I: PTM (xs) Modus Operandi out on November 27 2021

13/10/2021 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Eric van der Westen | In: Blog, Stories

During one of the mini versions of the festival Better Gert Hit 2021 on November 27 the album The Crown & Lobster Trilogy Part I Private Time Machine (XS) Modus Operandi was released. The band consists of Jeroen van Vliet on keys, Aron Raams on guitar, Dirk Peter Kölsch on drums and myslef, Eric van der Westen on electric bass.
The material was written in 2020 and heavily inspired by the great funk & soulband The Meters. I mixed it with my admiration of a great new band Kruaghbin.
On October 24 2020 I invited Jeroen, Aron and Dirk Peter for a recording session which would be a little different from their usual modus operandi. Without any rehearsals and with only minor preparation this album was recorded in the way our great jazz and soul ancestors used to work in the 50’s and 60’s before dubbing and editing was readily available.

It was enough to explain the “traffic” (meaning how to deal with intros, choruses, verses, repeats and endings) and to do a onetime, even partial, run through. Then we recorded all the pieces 2 or 3 times and selected the best takes. Using this process enhances the spontaneity , originality and outspoken tone of voice.
Improvising simultaneously, effortlessly grooving, sensing, phrasing and modelling the music on the spot is the best way to get an insight view of the top quality of these musicians. I’m convinced that if you dare to take the time to really dig deep into  our music, you’ll find the beauty, joy and warmth we encountered while recording it.

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Eric van der Westen’s The Crown And Lobster Trilogy Part III: New Quadrant released on October 1 2021

02/06/2020 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Eric van der Westen | In: News

Eric van der Westen’s  The Crown & Lobster Trilogy Part III: New Quadrant was supposed to be recorded during May and June 2020 but due to the Corona Crisis it’s been impossible to be together in the recording studio without violating the strict regulations. This caused the date for the album presentation concert to be switched to October 1st 2021. The concert took place in Paradox Tilburg The Netherlands.

The album contains mostly Van Der Westen originals plus a cover of one of his favorite J.J. Cale tracks: Magnolia and a reworked version of Charles Mingus ” Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. Being a sucker for a touch of melancholy and pretty melodies there’ll be plenty of music to dream away with since the absence of drums will give the band a very open musical character. The album was recorded in the spring of 2021 and contains the music exactly as the way it was recorded: no dubs. The initial plan was to release it as a vinyl but the length of the pieces made that impossible. The amount of editing is absolutely minimal contrary to general contemporary custom. Yannick Hiwat is his violinist virtuosos who brings a great depth and ease to the music , Efe Erdem his trombonist with his legacy of Turkish background makes his mark, well known from his work with Private Time Machine as is Joël Botma; the trumpet player who counts for a tremendous sound and very sensitive musical input. Last but not least his good old friend and co-Pastis- lover Homey guitarist Aron Raams who combines his incredible bluesy jazz chops with his taste of  country & americana. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/album/3AhEtz7HDsmexVsltDksLF?si=JzACrG4VRoWyJlgRwiCZVw&dl_branch=1

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Private Time Machine debut album “One” out now!

21/03/2019 | Comments: 0 | Posted by: Eric van der Westen | In: News

Private Time Machine’s 1st album is available now.
The double LP  & CD are sold for €20,- per unit and contains both the Vinyls and the CD. Check the Greenbag shop!

Private Time Machine is a band that blends 70’s rock, funk  & soul with jazz and anything that works. It’s Van Der Westen’s vehicle to mix all his life long influences in one go. From Led Zeppelin to Charles Mingus via Urban Dance Squad to John Coltrane passing by Sly Stone to stop @ Deep Purple and Miles  Davis. But most of all it’s really Van Der Westen’s music. His signature of lyricism, melancholy melodies combined with heavy, hard funking & rocking  grooves plus clear harmonies deliver what you may expect from a band full of high powered players with an attitude. The poetry of Jimmy Rage and the leader’s ability to deliver a song are a fine mix. Young hornplayers Joël Botma, Donald Simoen, Efe Erdem, Koen Smits blend well with the experienced lead tenorman Guido Nijs. Martin Fondse – here on super 70’s synths- and Rhodes monster Jeroen van Vliet form an indestructible backbone with drummer Marc Scheck, Guitarist Aron Raams &  Van Der Westen on bass guitar. It’s a true powerhouse.
In the past few years Private Time Machine has been able to thrive because of the regular gigs at Paradox in Tilburg, The Netherlands where the band developed and grew and where ideas were presented and discarded when not up to standard. The work in progress drew a growing audience during the “Playground”  evenings where a two hour concert was followed by grooving  DJ sets to entertain the audience ’till closing time.

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