Description

In October 2024, g a b b r o travels from Brussels to the mysterious village of Gabbro in Italy. Together with drumming virtuoso Casper Van De Velde, Hanne De Backer invites musical friends along the way to record in places that have personal significance for them. The quest to Gabbro takes them through five countries in seven days: Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland and Italy. The diverse landscapes and numerous encounters leave a deep impression. The pace of the journey is fast – sometimes too fast to fully comprehend the deeper meaning of the places they pass through and the music that is created, but the duo follows the trail towards a new sound, improvising and determined.

On the second day, in the forests of the Vosges, they meet guitarist Raphael Vanoli. Originally from this region, he guides Hanne and Casper through the beautiful autumn landscapes. After a hearty meal at the local family hotel, the trio starts making music until the sun goes down. Their audience consists of curious passers-by, a few interested tourists, hotel staff and children from the nearby asylum centre.

Back in Brussels, it becomes clear that the journey is far from over. The field recordings and impressions they gathered during the trip form the basis for a new expedition—one without a clear destination. Raphael, Casper and Hanne further explore their improvisational playing in Brussels and Amsterdam, eventually making a second series of recordings in July 2025 at Jet Studio in Brussels under the direction of Staf Verbeeck.

All the music on ‘GROUNDSPEED’ is completely improvised, with the only starting point being that time was taken to really explore and extract a certain musical space. So no fleeting improvisations, but three musicians who together create a universe all their own. Sometimes very vulnerable, sometimes with a dose of humour and exuberant flourishes, but always sincere and exciting. The result is a collection of compelling instrumental songs, presented as eight fictional villages where everyone is welcome to visit and stay for an indefinite period of time.

Dropa Disc #015 / g a b b r o Records  #002
CD
g a b b r o: GROUNDSPEED

1. Bazil
2. Luna
3. Bauci
4. Trimonte
5. Ottavia
6. Verna
7. Passo Di Fuoco
8. Asma

Release: 30 October 2025

Hanne De Backer: Bariton- & soprano sax, Bass clarinet
Casper Van De Velde: Drums, sampler
Raphael Vanoli: Electric guitar

Recorded & Mixed by Staf Verbeeck at Jet Studio
Edited by Hanne De Backer
Mastered by Gert Van Hoof
Field Recordings by Oscar Claus
Photos by Seppe Van Grieken
Layout: Jeroen Wille
Produced by Backì vzw producer
Co-produced by Ha Concerts & Kunstencentrum Nona
Made possible with the support of Flanders State Of The Arts
Thanks to Volta Brussels