Euro Cinema

"Jazz isn't dead, it just smells funky." That the motto of Dutch soul jazz group Euro Cinema. The group members were all born in the early seventies. So was their sound, which is heavily inspired by classic Blue Note and Prestige grooves (think Grant Green, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Idris Muhammad) as well as 70's B-movie soundtracks.

Euro Cinema's first line-up consisted of guitarist Tim den Heijer and his Yamaha sampler. When offered a gig, Tim called on long-time musical companion Niels Piay (drums) and former bandmate Rob Schepens (Hammond organ). After a few false starts, the band's line-up was finally completed when seasoned bass player Dennis Orsel joined. Since then, the electronics have given way to live, organic grooves.

The band's first demo, intended purely to solicit bookings, was recorded by a friend in a few hours. However, the track Euro Boogaloo was picked up on myspace by influential DJ's including Maestro (Blue Note records) and Craig Charles (BBC6 Soul and Funk show), who called their sound "A very nice line in soul jazz." The group started gigging on a regular basis in Dutch jazz/funk clubs around the Netherlands and quickly acquired a reputation for their energetic live shows.

For their first proper recordings, Euro Cinema contacted producer Phil Martin, the man behind the Soul Snatchers, AIFF, Jazzinvaders and Laura Vane and the Vipertones. His production brought out the group's raw, funky side without compromising their jazz sensibilities. When the as-yet unsigned tracks were previewed at the band's Myspace page. Craig Charles immediately played the new tune Brooklyn Groove on his BBC6 show.

Euro Cinema is very excited to release Brooklyn Groove (which actually has more of a New Orleans vibe) and a rerecorded version of Euro Boogaloo on limited edition 7" vinyl with Hammondbeat records, a label the band have been fans of for quite a while. The digital release also includes Brother Lou, a Hammond-led slice of funky soul jazz.

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• Stageplan Euro Cinema

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