‘The More Socially Relevant Jazz Music Ensemble’ is an ‘all-star’ quintet, featuring five of the most hideously talented young musicians to hail from the upper North-Western corner of the mainland of Europe. The ‘Ensemble’, the brainchild of Amsterdam based guitarist Reinier Baas, has a fresh, distinctive, raw and slightly peculiar sound. With influences as diverse as Ravel, Arctic Monkeys, Ornette Coleman, Flying Lotus and Human Feel, their music ranges from the intricate and sophisticated to the downright danceable. Line-up: Ben van Gelder - alto sax, Maarten Hogenhuis - alto sax, Sean Fasciani - bass, Mark Schilders - drums, Reinier Baas - guitar and compositions. “Baas has immediately become part of the world of the great, at least in the Netherlands.” - Armand Serpenti for TROUW (September 2011) “An organic sound, teeming with pleasure. [..] In the daring solo and duo pieces, Baas’ musical idiom appears to be without limits. His soulful sound on the ballads wins over hearts.” - Tim Sprangers for DE VOLKSKRANT **** (July 2011) “An adventurous record on which Baas displays not only a surplus of technique, but also humor, guts and a flexible mind.” - Mischa Andriessen for DE TELEGRAAF (July 2011) “A lot better than I was expecting from a few white dudes from Amsterdam.” - Random commenter at REDDIT.COM (September 2011)