Amsterdam-based sextet Spinifex celebrates its 20th anniversary with an expanded line-up and an acoustic twist on its avant-garde, punk-influenced sound with the new album Maxximus, out November 14, 2025 via Trytone Records.
Known for their propulsive energy, full-throttle dynamics, and ferocious abandon, Spinifex has chosen an unexpected approach for this milestone: a quieter, more acoustic sound. While the core sextet — trumpeter Bart Maris, alto saxophonist and artistic director Tobias Klein, tenor saxophonist John Dikeman, guitarist Jasper Stadhouders, bassist Gonçalo Almeida, and drummer Philipp Moser — retains their trademark vigor, they augment their regular instruments with a range of acoustic alternatives. The ensemble is further expanded with three special guests: vibraphonist and percussionist Evi Filippou, cellist Elisabeth Coudoux, and violist Jessica Pavone, creating a chamber music-inspired dimension to their free jazz and punk-rock energy.
“For nearly two decades, we’ve forged original music from seemingly incompatible elements — mathematical structures, punk aggression, free jazz fire,” Klein says. “With Maxximus, we wanted to open more space for acoustic colors and explore dynamics we haven’t used together before.”
The album immediately signals this shift, opening with a rare Spinifex ballad, Stadhouders’ “Smitten,” which evolves from slow, portentous melodies into intricate group improvisations. Tracks like Klein’s “Sack & Ash” and “Phoenix” balance relentless forward motion with expansive freedom for improvisation, while Coudoux’s “Springend” introduces fresh perspectives that challenge the ensemble’s familiar dynamics. Maris’ “Annie Golden” crescendos from sparse textures to raucous climax, paying tribute to the singer of the late-70s American punk band The Shirts, and Almeida closes the album with “The Privilege of Playing the Wrong Notes,” translating his electro-acoustic explorations into a mesmerizing acoustic performance.
Critics note Spinifex’s unique blend of complexity and primal energy. As Lawrence Peryer writes, the group has spent decades “forging original music from seemingly incompatible elements,” while DownBeat praises them as “one of Europe’s foremost improvising groups,” combining free jazz, punk, and contemporary music in live performances full of explosive moments.
With two decades of exploration under their belt, Maxximus demonstrates that Spinifex can expand their sound while remaining unmistakably themselves. “I normally see Spinifex as a compact ball that rolls with definite momentum. With Maxximus, we fan out a bit,” Klein says.
Spinifex’s members are prominent figures in contemporary jazz and improvisation: Moser doubles as a progressive metal drummer, Stadhouders has worked with Ken Vandermark, Almeida brings a dynamic multi-style bass approach, Dikeman performs extensively with William Parker and Hamid Drake, Maris is a leading European trumpet voice, and Klein is both a composer and accomplished bass clarinetist.
Release Details:
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Album: Maxximus
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Label: Trytone Records – TT559-114
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Recording Date: April 6, 2025
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Release Date: November 14, 2025
1 comment:
Thanks for the shout out.
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