Jan Akkerman - North Sea Jazz Concert... [White]

North Sea Jazz Concert... is an electrifying journey through the mind and fingers of one of Europe’s most celebrated guitar virtuosos. Capturing two powerful live performances from 2011 and 2005, this 180-gram white vinyl edition is part of the official North Sea Jazz Concert Series - and it’s the first time these recordings have ever appeared on wax.

Side 1 takes us to Rotterdam’s Nile Hall in 2011, where Akkerman delivers a masterclass in musical storytelling. The smooth, soulful “Tranquilizer” sets a laid-back mood before shifting into the rich emotional textures of “You Do Something to Me.” But it’s “Piétons” that really steals the show, blending gospel-tinged blues with firebrand trumpet work from Eric Vloeimans and an adventurous detour into improvisational bliss.

Flip to Side 2 and rewind to 2005 in The Hague’s Paul Acket Paviljoen. “Streetwalker” is pure funk swagger, driven by alto saxophonist Benjamin Herman, while “The Zebrah” sends the whole band soaring, Vloeimans lifting off and Akkerman diving back in with searing guitar work that refuses to be contained.

Visually, the package is a collector’s dream - stunning black-and-white Hans Pol artwork on heavy reversed-board paper, evoking the spirit of vintage Blue Note sleeves. This limited white vinyl release is more than just a live album; it’s a high-fidelity snapshot of a legend still pushing boundaries, refusing to be predictable, and always playing from the heart.