The duo of veteran Dutch, Malta-based reed player Luc Houtkamp and British pianist Alex Maguire used to perform regularly in the eighties and nineties, but At Khoen’s is the first album documenting their work as a duo. The album was recorded at Khoen’s Place (the house of Khoen Liem) in Senglea, Malta, in September 2023. Houtkamp took the cover photo of a rock formation in Gozo in Malta.

The music was free improvised with Houtkamp playing the tenor sax and clarinet. Both Houtkamp and Maguire are resourceful composers and improvisers, and, most importantly, kindred spirits. Both like to play with what they call comprovisation, the continuum where the distinction between improvisation and composition dissolves.

The eight short lyrical, sometimes even melancholic, reserved and introspective pieces (but with titles of local, tasty Maltese dishes) highlight Houtkamp and Maguire’s deep listening, natural and playful dynamics, often employing extended breathing and percussive techniques, and are structured like an engaging suite. The melodic music flows seamlessly in its own accord, with Houtkamp and Magure feeding and commenting on each other’s ideas with fresh, stimulating gestures. The music reflects their rich sonic palette of these experienced improvisers, with references to the jazz and free jazz legacy, but refusing to settle on predictable courses or any genre or style but their own. You have to wonder why it took them so long to document their work.

Eyal Hareuveni

Luc Houtkamp (tenor saxophone), Alex Maguire (piano)