The second album of this Amsterdam based tentet. 12 original compositions by leader/trombonist Joost Buis zoom in on various combinations of players. Catchy themes and zoomin grooves with the focus on improvisation. Line up: Felicity Provan - cornet Joost Buis - trombone Jan Willem van der Ham - altosax, bassoon Tobias Delius - tenorsax, clarinet Frans Vermeerssen - baritonesax Paul Pallesen - guitar Achim Kaufmann - piano Wilbert de Joode - double bass Alan Purves - percussion Michael Vatcher - percussion Reviews of the first Astronotes cd: Astronotes has its own ensemble personality, developed over a decade of frequent gigs. Where other leaders rush under-ripe bands into the studio, Buis waited until the lineup had been fully tweaked, the concept fine-tuned, and the pieces developed to let their facets and the players shine. (Kevin Whitehead in AV guide) Buis and his band play quite convincingly, not only when they extend ideas from the written page, but also when they innovate at the instant. There is a sense of fun imparted to several of the tunes, a zest and vitality that grabs right away. (Jerry D'Souza on allaboutjazz.com) ... swooning passages of swing that would melt the heart of any Ellington admirer... (Aaron Steinberg in Jazz Times) Fabulous arranged/improv'd jazz with that Dutch character, minus the silliness that sometimes accompanies it, but not without an uplifting vibe throughout. Very good recording and production job also. (Gary Sisco on jazzcornertalk)