Eelco van Zanten is an unknown name in the progressive rock scene Probably very strange if you know that he has been playing (electric & acoustic) guitar and writing, recording, producing, performing music for 30+ years. Furthermore he has been teaching guitar for 20+ years at home and at various institutes, including the Amsterdam Conservatory. He plays any style, from rock, funk, indie, soul, R&B, metal, pop, hiphop, dance, u name it. So also progressive rock I guess. Most of all if you do hear his latest album Eel Fusionkasteel, the follow up to his album Passion & Software which was released 2021 and got a remastered version in 2025. Eel Fusionkasteel is a strong instrumental album on which you can hear 50 minutes long strong instrumental music. Strong instrumental music divided over 14 tracks which includes influences taken from jazz rock, rock, fusion and a little bit of progressive rock. Music wise think about acts such as Weather Report, Tribal Tech, Allan Holdsworth, Yellowjackets, John Scofield, Bruford, Pymlico and Pat Metheny. Eelco spent about nine months writing and recording the album. He did this with the help of some killer musicians! Which are Nathaniel Klumperbeek on bass, Itai Weissman on EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) and Yoràn Vroom on drums. Eelco himself played on the guitars, keys and percussion. In an interview with Kev Metal Eelco explained how the album got together; "The songs were largely sketched out before the recording sessions with the musicians started. However, I do think playing together is part of the compositions. So in that sense, none of the songs was truly finished until everything was recorded. That's also what the "Fusionkasteel" (Dutch for "fusion castle") in the title refers to. I see this album as an adventurous, creative piece of construction. When I compose songs, it is very important to me that nothing sounds like I was trying to look for something. Instead, it should sound like you have found something. You can always let a couple of crazy sections follow each other, but that doesn't necessarily turn them into a cohesive whole. What I want to happen is that the song tells a story that guides the listeners from A to Z, and surprises them in the process. Preferably in a catchy, memorable manner. The songs should be short and concise, to the point. And they have to connect up well. Most of the pieces on the album are about four minutes long, which is relatively short for fusion songs, but I thought that it made the whole thing sound a little more modern. Solos need to have the same qualities as the songs, in my opinion. On the record, I never play any licks that I tend to play often. When you're making a record, you're making something for eternity, so everything should be special, and everything should hit the mark. Basically, all phrases you play need to feel like they were made for each other". Reading this interview explained a lot why you can't find any long tracks on the album. Indeed all compositions have a rather short length of time. But Eelco and his fellow musicians manage to entertain the listener in a minimal time. Achieve the maximum in minimum time so to speak! As for the compositions on the album it is easy to say that they are of a very high level. Therefore it isn't easy to name any favourites but I will try anyway. This are the songs which are most of all more related to progressive rock and impressed me the most. Gezellig (Dutch for pleasant/ cosy) a song with Focus/ Jan Akkerman kind of music. Crickets Theme (For Tinni) a beautiful mellow relaxing tune. Healing which is another relaxed tune with beautiful Holdsworth kind of guitar playing. Tevoorschijn (Dutch for emerge) a track with an excellent Caribean sound. Xartar is another track with excellent Holdsworth kind of guitar parts. Running From The Spotlight a track with nice piano playing and great solo parts. Eelco van Zanten poured his musical heart out on Eel Fusionkasteel and all musicians played their asses off. For him recording and releasing this album has been a dream come true. A creative thrill. He could not be happier with the result. And I guess he is right all the way! Because this is a great sounding album for people who enjoy a nice musical mix of jazz rock, rock, fusion and a little bit of progressive rock. So step just like me in the colourful and beautiful world of Eelco van Zanten and his fantastic music. You won't regret it! **** Henri Strik (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
