For the longest time I had this sound in my head (apart from a high hissing sound thanks to years of unprotected rock-drumming): a group sound that combined beautiful melodies and rhythm complex themes with collective improvisations, that were listenable and not sounding like a burning chicken farm for ten minutes. A sound that was at the same time jazzy, funky and dynamic and free sounding like the best music from my favourite time in jazz: the late sixties and early seventies.
We tried a lot of combinations of fantastic Dutch musicians, but we never really got it. Until Udo – who I started playing with and immediately became my favourite bass player – suggested Wim and Tom. We started jamming in the studio, Udo pushed the [REC] button and by that afternoon we had the first three tracks for this cd. We got together two more days, rehearsing the themes and record them almost immediately. It felt fresh every time, and we were players as well as listeners. Playing and improvising in its purest form.
Satori! is an expression used in Zen Buddhism. It’s the feeling of enlightment that one can experience during or after meditation. I find the name of this band very appropriate because it actually feels like the music – especially the improvisations – are played naturally.
We feel connected to the source, in a way that’s both energetic and calm. For a long time I practice meditation and sometimes it happens: I feel very peaceful and aware that I am part of the whole, the everything. This feeling is not very different from what happens when the Satori Society is improvising. Time dissapears (though thankfully not in the drummer), and the observer and creating musician become one. And then there is four of us! It is my wish that you, while listening to this cd, become one with us too.
Enjoy!
Kim Weemhoff
November 2009
Recorded (June/July, 2009) and mixed by Udo Pannekeet at Studio 47, Enkhuizen.
Mastered by Sander van der Heide saintofsound.nl
Photos by Liesbeth Dingemans liesbethdingemans.nl
Produced by Udo Pannekeet and Kim Weemhoff
Satori Society thanks Jasper Blom, Jeroen van Vliet, Jan Kooper and Niels Brouwer for their part in this journey.
Special thanks to the Pannekeetjes. Kim thanks Jeanette, Vijay, Jinne and Liv; Jeroen Backs (Hoshino), Thomas Vermeulen (Sonor), Roy Dackus, Mark Eeftens, Slagwerkkrant, Jeroen Hagens, Arjan van der Linden, Piet Klaasen.
Kim endorses only himself, but plays with great affection on Sonor Delite and SQ2 drums, Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth Peter Erskine sticks.
