Nostalgia Blitz
‘Nostalgia Blitz’ is an ode to some of Benjamin’s most prominent inspirations for his approach of the jazz saxophone, including James Chance, John Lurie, Xero Slingsby and Hans Dulfer. The album is a wondrous blend of jazz, punk and new wave, featuring punk poet John Cooper Clarke, Japanese jazz trumpeter Shinpei Ruike and Swedish trombone player Ebba Åsman.
Recorded between March 2021 and March 2023
Recorded at Epic Rainbow Unicorn Studio, Rotterdam
Recorded and mixed by Simon Akkermans
Mastered by Zlaya at Loud
Produced by Simon Akkermans, co-produced by Benjamin Herman
Executive producer Benjamin Herman
Released on Roach Records
Licensed to and distributed by Dox Records
Artwork by Anouk Baas
Liner notes
‘Nostalgia Blitz’ is a record born from a wild collection of ideas and influences drawing on an alternative saxophone universe from Benjamin’s formative years. Benjamin Herman explains:
“When I picked up the saxophone in 1980, it was the coolest instrument on the planet. Every band had a saxophonist, usually dressed in an oversized pastel-colored power suit with rolled-up sleeves. Besides an abundance of sax heroes in pop, fusion and jazz music, the 80s also had individuals who did it all their own way. James Chance, John Lurie, Xero Slingsby, and of course Dutch mover and shaker Hans Dulfer were some of my favorites. Saxophonists with an attitude: supercharged, perky, and highly creative. An atonal, arty and conceptual kind of saxophone music that really spoke to me. Besides Charlie Parker, Johnny Hodges, Sonny Rollins, and John Coltrane, they greatly influenced my musical taste. ’Nostalgia Blitz’ is once again an attempt to push the boundaries of my own playing and simultaneously tip my hat to some of my all-time heroes.”
